CHAPTER XXVIII 424
" Is she ill , or only famished ?"
" Famished , I think . Hannah , is that milk ? Give it me , and a piece of bread ."
Diana ( I knew her by the long curls which I saw drooping between me and the fire as she bent over me ) broke some bread , dipped it in milk , and put it to my lips . Her face was near mine : I saw there was pity in it , and I felt sympathy in her hurried breathing . In her simple words , too , the same balm-like emotion spoke : " Try to eat ."
" Yes -- try ," repeated Mary gently ; and Mary ' s hand removed my sodden bonnet and lifted my head . I tasted what they offered me : feebly at first , eagerly soon .
" Not too much at first -- restrain her ," said the brother ; " she has had enough ." And he withdrew the cup of milk and the plate of bread .
" A little more , St . John -- look at the avidity in her eyes ." " No more at present , sister . Try if she can speak now -- ask her her name ."
I felt I could speak , and I answered -- " My name is Jane Elliott ." Anxious as ever to avoid discovery , I had before resolved to assume an ALIAS .
" And where do you live ? Where are your friends ?" I was silent . " Can we send for any one you know ?" I shook my head . " What account can you give of yourself ?"
Somehow , now that I had once crossed the threshold of this house , and once was brought face to face with its owners , I felt no longer outcast ,