For a long time, silent looks were exchanged between them all.
The cautious servant placed the tray over the man's lap and helped him to sit up. He placed another cushion at his back.
The man looked at the food and at the others, until finally, the host smiled and took a bite from the food and sipped the drink.
"Eat, my friend! You will not heal quickly if you do not eat." he said, then stepped away from him.
The man in bed devoured the food as if he has never before eaten. The host and his wife glanced at each other as they watched him.
After a minute, the injured man suddenly stopped and looked at the others who stared at him while he at. There was thick quiet until the injured man spoke, with a serious mistrust, in the tone of his voice. "Where is my book?" he asked.
The host smiled at him and looked over to his wife. "Your encyclopedia is safe, my friend." answered the host, as he slowly neared the bed.
The servant helped him sit up more comfortably in the bed when he showed too much pain, trying to so do by himself.
Suspicion burned in the injured man's flaring eyes. He questioned his host further.
"Who are you to know of such books?"