I met his eye, but he offered no greeting.

A woman joined him, and the two, quite passive, waited to discover my intentions.
Eat I must, so I stepped forward and asked if I could have a meal.
Without stirring, the man gave a sullen assent.

Could I have food at once?
Yes, in a few minutes.

Would they show me--the dining room?
Man and woman turned upon their heels, and I followed.

The entrance led into a filthy kitchen; out of this I turned to the right, went along a passage upon which opened certain chamber doors, and was conducted into a room at the end--for the nonce, a dining-room, but at ordinary times a bedroom.