"You see I've waited for you, Mr. Morley; we have a slice of ham, some hot biscuits, and baked potatoes. There's a loaf of cake, too, and coffee and a try at a pudding for which my mother used to be famous."
Every nerve of Martin's starved stomach thrilled, but his eyes did not meet Marcia Lowe's.
"You are feeling better, Martin Morley?"
"Yes, ma'am; thank you, ma'am."
"Well, then I want you to share my meal."
"I—I ain't worthy, ma'am. I can never pay you, ma'am, for what you've done and meant to me. I'm ready to go now, ma'am."
"Where, Martin Morley?" The little doctor was pouring the coffee, and the odour made Morley dizzy with longing.
"I ain't just settled in my mind as to that, ma'am. The world's big, beyond The Hollow."
"Too big for you, Mr. Morley, until you are yourself—your best self again. And you can pay me—I have my bill ready."
Martin eyed her furtively and tried to steady his hand as he reached out for the plate of savoury food she was passing to him. They ate silently for a while, then Marcia Lowe tried to cheer him by scraps of gossip that had drifted to her during the day.