Might not _he_ see the little one some day?
Yes, surely he should; Lydia would try for that.
Who had left him the food, then?
No one entered his room to do anything for him, save at intervals of a fortnight, when Mrs.Bower sent up a charwoman; otherwise he had always waited upon himself.

Two days went by, then the offering was renewed, just in the same way, and this time with the addition of some sugar.

The giver could be but one person.
Mary Bower knew of his need, and was doing what she could for him.

He knew it in meeting her on the stairs the morning after; she said a kind 'Good-day,' and reddened, and went by with her head bent.
But it was bitter to receive such help.

He could not refuse it, for otherwise he must have lain down in helplessness, and he trusted yet that there would come a turn in things.