CHAPTER XXVIII 414
then for the first time , and who knew nothing about my character . And as to the woman who would not take my handkerchief in exchange for her bread , why , she was right , if the offer appeared to her sinister or the exchange unprofitable . Let me condense now . I am sick of the subject .
A little before dark I passed a farm-house , at the open door of which the farmer was sitting , eating his supper of bread and cheese . I stopped and said -
" Will you give me a piece of bread ? for I am very hungry ." He cast on me a glance of surprise ; but without answering , he cut a thick slice from his loaf , and gave it to me . I imagine he did not think I was a beggar , but only an eccentric sort of lady , who had taken a fancy to his brown loaf . As soon as I was out of sight of his house , I sat down and ate it .
I could not hope to get a lodging under a roof , and sought it in the wood I have before alluded to . But my night was wretched , my rest broken : the ground was damp , the air cold : besides , intruders passed near me more than once , and I had again and again to change my quarters ; no sense of safety or tranquillity befriended me . Towards morning it rained ; the whole of the following day was wet . Do not ask me , reader , to give a minute account of that day ; as before , I sought work ; as before , I was repulsed ; as before , I starved ; but once did food pass my lips . At the door of a cottage I saw a little girl about to throw a mess of cold porridge into a pig trough . " Will you give me that ?" I asked .
She stared at me . " Mother !" she exclaimed , " there is a woman wants me to give her these porridge ."
" Well lass ," replied a voice within , " give it her if she ' s a beggar . T ' pig doesn ' t want it ."
The girl emptied the stiffened mould into my hand , and I devoured it ravenously .