This was his last resort, an expedient which he fell back upon only in great extremity, as it invariably made him sick to his stomach.

He slept a little, but in half an hour was broad awake again, gagging and retching dreadfully.

There was nothing on his stomach to throw up, and now at length the hunger in him raged like a wolf.

Vandover was in veritable torment.
He could not keep his thoughts away from the money in his pocket, a nickel and two dimes.

He could eat if he wanted to, could satisfy this incessant craving.