He began to draw his breath with apparent difficulty; his face looked drawn and ghastly; he clung to Tom's arm as if for support; and it was difficult indeed to believe that he was not feeling really terribly ill.
They reached the hut and knocked.

The door was instantly opened, and Tom was certain he saw a gleam of malicious satisfaction upon the faces of the men, who welcomed them in with a show of rude cordiality.
There were but two rooms that could be called sleeping apartments, they said, and one was already occupied; but they would give up the other to the use of the sick traveller.

Lord Claud was speedily assisted thither, and the fire in the stove replenished.

He lay down upon the bed with a groan, and looked as if nigh to death.

The peasant chattered with the old couple, and it was plain that this sort of seizure was not very uncommon in those altitudes.
The men tried to make Tom understand that his companion should go back to the valley; but that could not be done till the morrow, and presently the pair were left alone in their room.
This room was only separated from the next by some rude split pine trunks.