"Better eat it," said the fellow. "Patients is never sure here when they'll get another meal. If you ain't hungry now, you might better eat this grub ag'in the time when you will be."
But Helen motioned the food away.
She could not eat.
Before taking his leave, the fellow replaced the gag. When Helen saw him take it up, and divined what he intended to do, she filled her lungs for screaming.
But the keeper's eyes were quick ones.
He was accustomed to similar scenes, and quick as a flash had Helen by the throat, and choked the first shriek short off.
"Now be quiet, curse you!" he hissed, as the poor girl's tongue began to protrude. "You're mighty slow in learning that it ain't best to kick against the pricks in this 'ere shebang."
Letting go of Helen's throat now, he deftly applied the gag before she could recover sufficient breath to finish the cry for help which he had choked down.
Then he left her.
An hour later she had another visitor.