"Not a blessed scrap, miss, and I _am_ so hungry"--a fresh burst of
tears.

"Don't cry. Do as I bid you, and then you had better ask your mother to
come here. Now get me some fresh water."

"There's only water in the tap; the filterer is broke."

"Well, give me a jugful. And are you too hungry to make up the fire?"

"I'll manage that, 'm; we had a hundred of coal in yesterday morning
before the row."

"Then clear away the ashes and get as clear a fire as you can. I will
get some food."

The desperate, deserted condition of the old man seemed to rob him of
his terrors, and all Katherine's energy was roused to save him from the
ill effects of his own fury. She hastened back to the dining-room. Mr.
Liddell was sitting up, grasping the arms of his chair.

"There is nothing downstairs. Will you allow me to go and buy you some
food? You will be ill unless you eat."

"Can't that child fetch what is needful?" he said, with an effort.

"I am afraid she may not return."

"Then you had better go. I'll open the door to you when you come back."