choking.
What is the matter? said Dr. Craven, turning to look at her.
Mary became quite severe in her manner.
It was something between a sneeze and a cough, she replied with
reproachful dignity, and it got into my throat.
But, she said afterward to Colin, I couldn t stop myself. It just
burst out because all at once I couldn t help remembering that last big
potato you ate and the way your mouth stretched when you bit through
that thick lovely crust with jam and clotted cream on it.
Is there any way in which those children can get food secretly? Dr.
Craven inquired of Mrs. Medlock.
There s no way unless they dig it out of the earth or pick it off the
trees, Mrs. Medlock answered. They stay out in the grounds all day
and see no one but each other. And if they want anything different to
eat from what s sent up to them they need only ask for it.
Well, said Dr. Craven, so long as going without food agrees with
them we need not disturb ourselves. The boy is a new creature.
So is the girl, said Mrs. Medlock. She s begun to be downright
pretty since she s filled out and lost her ugly little sour look. Her
hair s grown thick and healthy looking and she s got a bright color.
The glummest, ill-natured little thing she used to be and now her and
Master Colin laugh together like a pair of crazy young ones. Perhaps
they re growing fat on that.
Perhaps they are, said Dr. Craven. Let them laugh.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE CURTAIN
208