Two Old Men.
99
The woman on the bed, to whom Elissey had first spoken, was still unable to rise. She did not regain consciousness, but continued to toss to and fro upon the couch.
The "good Samaritan" then went to the village store, where he bought a supply of wheat, salt, flour, and oil. Returning to the miserable home, he found an axe and proceeded to chop some wood, after which he built a fire under the oven, the little girl helping him as best she could. Elissey then prepared soup and gruel, with which he fed the starving people.
