STARVATION I was right.

The Abati did think that we had been burned.

It never occurred to them that we might have escaped to the underground city.
So at least I judged from the fact that they made no attempt to seek us there until they learned the truth in the fashion that I am about to describe.

If anything, this safety from our enemies added to the trials of those hideous days and nights.

Had there been assaults to repel and the excitement of striving against overwhelming odds, at any rate we should have found occupation for our minds and remaining energies.
But there were none.