noon
Neglect and want of cleanliness had made the air of the sick-room so fetid and poisonous that one could hardly breath it with safety . Now and then I looked in the other room and spoke a cheerful word to granny . Peggy was doing her best for the children , but the poor baby seemed very fretful . Towards noon two rough-headed boys made their appearance and began clamouring for their dinner . The same untidy young woman whom I had seen before came clattering up the yard again in her clogs and helped Peggy spread great slices of bread and treacle for the hungry children , and warmed some food for the baby . I saw granny trying to eat a piece of bread and dripping that they gave her and then lay it down without a word : no wonder her poor cheeks were so white and sunken . Mrs. Drabble had promised me some more beef-tea , so I warmed a cupful for granny and broke up a slice of stale bread in it : it was touching to see her enjoyment of the warm food .