subside, and then replaced the phial to her lips, saying, "Suck, you

little wretch!"

In the meantime the boy had laid down his fork. Seeing the infant drink

had made him forget to eat. The moment before, while he ate, the

expression in his face was satisfaction; now it was gratitude. He

watched the infant's renewal of life; the completion of the resurrection

begun by himself filled his eyes with an ineffable brilliancy. Ursus

went on muttering angry words between his teeth. The little boy now and

then lifted towards Ursus his eyes moist with the unspeakable emotion

which the poor little being felt, but was unable to express. Ursus

addressed him furiously.

Well, will you eat?"

"And you?" said the child, trembling all over, and with tears in his

eyes. "You will have nothing!"

Will you be kind enough to eat it all up, you cub? There is not too

much for you, since there was not enough for me."

The child took up his fork, but did not eat.

Eat," shouted Ursus. "What has it got to do with me? Who speaks of me?

Wretched little barefooted clerk of Penniless Parish, I tell you, eat it

all up! You are here to eat, drink, and sleep--eat, or I will kick you

out, both of you."

254

The Man Who Laughs