Her promise to give her child food, on the next day, was made only to silence his call for bread.

There was no prospect of receiving any money, and she could not see her children starve.

But one recourse was left.

She must sell the bed--the last piece of furniture remaining in the room--no matter that in so doing her wretchedness increased instead of diminished.
The child was not satisfied with her promise.

The pangs he endured were too much for one of his age, and again he uttered his call for bread.
"There is no bread, Willy," said Eva, speaking for the first time.
"Don't ask for any bread.