After making careful examination, I rose, and found my way slowly from the place. I took what I believed was the seaward direction, and after walking wellnigh a mile through a wood, I saw a cottage among some fields. It was with much difficulty that I reached it, but I succeeded at length, and presently saw a peasant woman lighting a fire outside the cottage door.
"What's o'clock, good dame?" I asked.
"Six o' th' mornin'," she made answer.
"Then perchance you can give me some breakfast," I said.
"I've nothing but milk and bread," she answered, looking at me suspiciously.
"For which I will pay you well," I replied, taking a coin from my pocket.
The sight of the money altered her behaviour with wondrous quickness.
"It's all ready," she replied. "Th' milk is boilin' and the bread be in the dishes. My man will not be here for a minute or two, but there's no need for you to wait, young master."
Hunger made me ravenous, and I gave no thought to others. I doubt not the bread was black and heavy, but the milk was sweet, and I partook of it greedily.
When I had finished it seemed to me as though my strength had come back to me as if by a miracle.