I found out what it meant--it was hunger.

Once or twice lately I have passed the girl who has just gone out, upon the stairs, and she almost frightened me.

She had just the same look in her eyes.

I noticed it yesterday--it was just before dinner, too--but she never came down." "She paid so much for her room and extra for meals," Mrs.Lawrence said thoughtfully.

"She never would have a meal unless she paid for it at the time.