But his heart was bitter as absinthe.
Everyone else was strong, and hardy, and manly; even the women were manly, they could eat and drink.
Rough-headed Jearje, at the churn, ate hard cheese, and drank ale, and turned the crank at the same time.
Round-headed Bill Nye sat on the form, happily munching cheese, oh so happily! Gabriel (of the Koran) would never believe how happily, sipping his tall quart-mug.
Mrs. Iden bustled to and fro, for all her fifty years, more energetic than all the hamlet put together.
Luce, the maid, had worked since six, and would go on hours longer.
Alere Flamma was smoking and sipping Goliath ale in the summer-house; he could eat, and drink, and walk about as a man should.
Amaryllis was as strong as a young lioness; he had seen her turn the heavy cheese-tub round as if it were a footstool.
He alone was weak, pale, contemptible; unable to eat strong meat; unable to drink strong drink; put down to sip milk as an infant; unable to walk farther than Plum Corner in the garden; unable to ride even; a mere shadow, a thing of contempt.
They told him he was better. There was just a trifle of pink in his face, and he could walk to Plum Corner in the garden without clinging to Amaryllis's arm, or staying to steady himself and get his balance more than three or four times. He had even ventured a little way up the meadow-path, but it made him giddy to stoop to pick a buttercup. They told him he was better; he could eat a very little more, and sip a wine-glassful of Goliath.