She watched him while he tried to break a clam-shell between the two rocks. "Let me," she said, taking hold of one of them. "Your hands are too badly cut." He hesitated.
"Please," she said. "I can at least do the woman's part and prepare the meal. Especially when you bring it to me."
He laughed and gave up the stones.
"I am desperately thirsty," she said, breaking open the shells.
"I feel as though my tongue were swelling fast," he admitted.
They dug the tiny clams from the shells, and ate for a few minutes in silence, then she said: "I can't go any more of them."
He wondered if she were not hungry, but said nothing. After eating a few more, he understood. Then he, too, stopped.
"I've got to find water," he said. He waited for her to speak.
At last she said: "I can see nothing that might indicate fresh water. Where will you go?"
"Up the beach, I suppose."