but rachel , ian 's nut-brown maiden-her brownness much splattered with blood-had pulled herself together in an instant and , gritting her teeth-ian had seen her do it , bemused by shock as he lay on the floor , watching things happen as though in a dream-had stepped over auld arch 's body , fallen to her knees in the mess of brains and blood , wrapped her apron tight about ian 's wounded arm and tied it with her kerchief , and then , with marsali , had dragged him bodily out of the printshop and into the street , where he 'd promptly passed out , waking only when auntie claire began stitching his arm .