Finally, however, they reached the wretched hovel where
Asensio lay, then leaving her there, Johnnie sped on alone into
the city. He returned soon with several small bundles concealed
about his person, and with Evangelina's help he set about
preparing food.
Neither Rosa nor the two negroes had any appetite--their hunger
had long since passed the point at which they were conscious of
it--and O'Reilly was compelled to force them to eat. When he had
given them all that he dared he offered what food was left to
Jacket.
The boy moistened his lips and his fingers twitched, but he shook
his head.
"Oh, I'm not so hungry," he declared, indifferently. "I have a
friend in the market-place; I will go down there and steal a fish
from him."
O'Reilly patted him on the shoulder, saying: "You are a good kid,
and you understand, don't you? These sick people will need more
food than we can buy for them, so we will have to draw our belts
tight."
"Of course. Eating is a habit, anyhow, and we men know how to get
along without it. I will manage to find something for you and me,
for I'm a prodigious thief. I can steal the hair from a man's head
when I try." With a nod he set off to find his benefactor's
supper.
Jacket whistled heroically until he was out of O'Reilly's hearing,
then his bearing changed. His mouth drew down, and moisture came
into his eyes.
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