Away went Janet, and brought him his gruel.

It was with no small difficulty and not without a moan or two, that Gibbie sat up in the bed to take it.

There was something very pathetic in the full content with which he sat there in his nakedness, and looked smiling at them all.

It was more than content--it was bliss that shone in his countenance.

He took the wooden bowl, and began to eat; and the look he cast on Janet seemed to say he had never tasted such delicious food.