We feared she might sink from inanition at any moment.

Hilda Wade knelt on the floor by the girl's side and held a spoonful of beef essence coaxingly to her lips.

Number Fourteen gasped, drew a long, slow breath, then gulped and swallowed it.

After that she lay back with her mouth open, looking like a corpse.

Hilda pressed another spoonful of the soft jelly upon her; but the girl waved it away with one trembling hand.