Had she had food given her?
She grunted a negative, and fanned the flies from her baby.

Telling the woman to remain where she was, he turned his horse's head to the road and rode off at a furious pace.
"Hard-hearted! cruel! Oh, my God! Is this the way?
Is this charity ?" "Yes, yes, yes," ejaculated the old man as he rode on; but, presently, his anger began to evaporate, his horse's pace slackened, and by the time he had reached his own door he was nodding and smiling.
Dismounting quickly, he went to the great chest where his provisions were kept.

Here he got out a little meal, a little mealies, a few roaster-cakes.

These he tied up in three blue handkerchiefs, and putting them into a sailcloth bag, he strung them over his shoulders.

Then he looked circumspectly out at the door.