“Oh!” said Waller thoughtfully. “What have you had to eat this morning?”
The boy laughed sadly. “I have picked some leaves,” he said.
“Picked some leaves!” cried Waller contemptuously. “Why didn’t you hunt for some of the hens’ eggs? There are lots about here, half-wild, that have strayed away from the farms and taken to the woods. Of course a raw egg is not so good as one nicely cooked, but it would keep a fellow from looking as bad as you do. Here, I say, I am sorry that I knocked you about so. I didn’t know that you were so bad as this.”
“It doesn’t matter now,” was the reply. “You had better give me up to the soldiers at once. I suppose they will give me something to eat. My pride’s all gone now, and I only want to get it over and bring it to an end. It’s very contemptible, I know, but it is very horrible, all the same.”
“What is?” said Waller quickly.
“To feel that you are starving to death.”
“There, now you are talking nonsense,” said Waller warmly. “Why, of course it is. Who’s going to starve to death? Here, I suppose I oughtn’t to help you?”
“No; I am an enemy. Give me up to the soldiers as quickly as you can.”
“Bother the soldiers!” cried Waller hotly. “Let them do their work themselves. I don’t know anything about enemies. You are half-starved and ill, and if you stop till I come back I’ll run off and get you something to eat. I could take you home with me at once, but if I did the servants would see you, and begin to talk, and then it might get to the ears of the soldiers, if there are any about. Don’t run away till I come back with them,” continued Waller, with a mocking laugh. “You don’t want any more water, do you?”
The lad shook his head.