He stared at her in a moment of incomprehension, but the sight of the bread, meat and cheese, quickly restored him to sanity.
"I--I beg pardon," he began, "I dreamed----"
But his hands were already reaching forward toward the dish and with a smile she handed it to him.
"Sit again, eat and drink. There is milk."
He obeyed, wasting no words and she sat beside him, watching calmly while he bolted the food like a famished wolf. He finished what was on the platter and all of the milk before he spoke again. Then he wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and gave a great grunt of satisfaction.
"Shall I bring you more?" she asked.
"No, no, thanks. You're very good, Mademoiselle. I didn't know I was so hungry."
"Are you sure you've had enough?"
"Oh yes."
"When was the last time that you ate?"