When he raised his eyes again her looks were serious, though not stern.

He was completely bewildered.

What had occurred to cause his mother to speak in this manner?
Had she changed her mind since morning, and why so suddenly?
He had, of course, no thought of attributing to Shotaye and to her influence this surprisingly favourable change, for he did not know the intimate relations existing between her and his mother.

So he remained silent, staring, wrapped in his own musings.

His mother looked at him in silence also, but with a half-suppressed smile.
At last she asked,-- "Sa uishe, will you eat ?" "Yes," he replied, considerably relived by this turn in the conversation.