As Elissey was about to question the old woman, the peasant from the yard entered the room and passed toward the wall, intending to take a seat on the bench. Having too little strength to reach it, however, he fell prostrate on the floor. He did not attempt to rise, and while in that position he tried to speak, but his breath only came in gasps. He finally managed to utter: "Sickness—and—hunger"
After a pause he nodded with his head toward the boy and gasped:
"He—he is dying—from hunger!"
Then he began to cry like a child.
Taking the sack from his shoulders, Elissey threw it upon the floor. Then lifting it to the bench, he proceeded to open it. Taking out a loaf of bread and a knife, he cut some slices, which he offered to the man. The latter refused the proffered gift, however, pointing instead to the boy and a little girl (who had just appeared on the scene), as if to say, "They have more need of it than I."
