But above all was she fond of eating.

This covetousness of food had grown on her as her years had increased.

The thought of foods of various kinds filled many hours of her day, and the desire for pleasant things to eat was the motive of many of her most deliberate actions.

She cherished warmly and secretly this little lust of hers.

None of the family was aware of the grip that the desire had upon her nor of the speed with which the desire was growing.