With a choke she ran towards him, holding up 262 her hands with horror. He tried to hide the root he was chewing, but became aware that she had seen it, and that she knew the true motive of his expedition.
“Jim, why, you’re starving! Why didn’t you tell me?”
He stood up and put the knife into his pocket.
“’Tain’t as bad as all that,” he said casually. “Gotta make that grub pan out, somehow. I told you I was rough—an animal. Don’t look so plumb sober. I lived for a month on roots once....”
“Come back!” she cried imperiously. “Why didn’t you tell me? I had a right to know!”
He said nothing. There was nothing to be said. She didn’t know what starvation was really like, and he did. She led him back to the camp, her face flushed and her eyes moist.
“Now sit down. I’m going to cook you a good meal, and you are going to eat it. Where’s your grub sack?”
His mouth closed down with a snap. If she saw the grub sack the whole truth must come out, and he didn’t want that.
“I’ve had my meal,” he replied. “Don’t 263 trouble now. I ain’t a bit hungry. Them roots is sure wonderful when you git used——”
She shrugged her shoulders impatiently, and looked round for his kit. Seeing it a few yards away she rose from her knees and made for it, but his hand came out and stopped her.