Get on with your eatin', all of you.'
He went to Mrs. Eagles' room and talked there for a short time.
Presently Mrs. Eagles herself came out and silently removed from the
saucepan a mixture of broth and meat. Having already taken the cup
of tea to Clara, Hewett now returned to her with this food. She was
sitting by the fire, her face resting upon her hands. The lamp was
extinguished; she had said that the firelight was enough. John
deposited his burden on the table, then touched her shoulder gently
and spoke in so soft a voice that one would not have recognised it
as his.
'You'll try an' eat a little, my dear? Here's somethin' as has been
made particular. After travellin'--just a spoonful or two.'
Clara expressed reluctance.
'I don't feel hungry, father. Presently, perhaps.'
'Well, well; it do want to cool a bit. Do you feel able to sit up?'
'Yes. Don't take so much trouble, father. I'd rather you left me
alone.'
The tone was not exactly impatient; it spoke a weary indifference to
everything and every person.
'Yes, I'll go away, dear. But you'll eat just a bit? If you don't
like this, you must tell me, and I'll get something you could
fancy.
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