"To stay?" he echoed.
"Yes," she replied. "To stay...." He followed her gaze. She was not aware of what she saw, no doubt; but he was. Before her gaze rose gray, grim and sinister, one of those places—the abode of dead things. Yes, and it was waiting, silently waiting. He turned and regarded the woman. She was quiet. A man came by crying:
"Hot sandwiches—hot tamales—five cents apiece!"
He saw her gazing at them with eyes that were dry, but hungry.
"Here," he cried, "with your sandwiches." And then turned to her:
"Take as many as you want. All you can eat tonight, and some for tomorrow!"
Her eyes widened. She beheld him now with wonder. "Do you mean it?" she whispered, in a subdued voice.
He nodded, and handed the man a half dollar.
She ate ravenously, while he watched. Presently he started, while she watched him strangely, as if he were something unearthly. He turned suddenly, and came back to where she stood. He ran his hand into his pocket, and drew forth three silver dollars. "Here," he said, and a moment later he was gone.
She stood transformed, and then, dreamlike, she cried after him: