He looked at his bare feet, regarding them silently.

His impulse to speak passed.

He was trembling exceedingly.
They gave him some pink fluid with a greenish fluorescence and a meaty taste, and the assurance of returning strength grew.
"That--that makes me feel better," he said hoarsely, and there were murmurs of respectful approval.

He knew now quite clearly.

He made to speak again, and again he could not.
He pressed his throat and tried a third time.