phial, uncorked it, poured into it all the milk that remained, which was
just sufficient to fill it, replaced the sponge and the linen rag over
it, and tied it round the neck of the bottle.

"All the same, I'm hungry and thirsty," he observed.

And he added,--

"When one cannot eat bread, one must drink water."

Behind the stove there was a jug with the spout off. He took it and
handed it to the boy.

"Will you drink?"

The child drank, and then went on eating.

Ursus seized the pitcher again, and conveyed it to his mouth. The
temperature of the water which it contained had been unequally modified
by the proximity of the stove.

He swallowed some mouthfuls and made a grimace.

"Water! pretending to be pure, thou resemblest false friends. Thou art
warm at the top and cold at bottom."

In the meantime the boy had finished his supper. The porringer was more
than empty; it was cleaned out. He picked up and ate pensively a few
crumbs caught in the folds of the knitted jacket on his lap.