The dumb request for food was also understood and complied with.

No doubt there had been times before when the girl had crept with bread and meat in her apron to the solitary captive, who was shut up alone without food till he should come to a better mind.
Of Cuthbert's intended flight she made no attempted revelation.

She must act now, and explain later, if she could ever make the old woman understand, that her brother had fled, and had not been done to death by his hard-hearted father.
Supper was over.

It had been at the close of that meal that the explosion had taken place.

She would not be called upon to meet her father again that day.