There was not a crumb to stop their little squalling mouths.

He did not tell me all this straight out; a word fell from him now and then, like dates from a torn sack.

I picked it up bit by bit, and when he saw I felt for him he grew fierce and said: 'They may send me to the gold mines or cut me to pieces, as far as I am concerned, but that the little ones should starve that--that,' and he struck his forehead.

Then I left him to say good bye to Uarda, and on the way I kept repeating to myself 'that-that,' and saw before me the man and his eight brats.

If I were rich, thought I, there is a man I would help.