She took out from a small cupboard a plate of bread and some cold meat, and laid them on the table. Then she steeped some tea, and, when it was ready, she put that also on the table.
"Set up," she said, briefly.
Walter understood from this that supper was ready, and, putting on his shoes, which were now dry, he moved his chair up.
"Likely you're used to something better," said the woman.
This was true, but our hero politely said that the supper looked very good, and he did not doubt he would enjoy it.
"That's lucky, for it's all you will get," said the woman.
"There's not much use in wasting politeness on her," thought Walter. "She won't give any in return, that's certain."
The woman poured him out some tea in one of the cracked cups.
"We haven't got no milk nor sugar," she said. "My man and I don't care for them."