Page:They're a multitoode (1900).djvu/58

 CHAPTER VI.

On the way to the town, in the blazing heat, and living mostly on roots dug from the wayside, the youngest son, my prospective husband, died of exhaustion. I don't think any of us minded, as we were too far gone ourselves. I only remember feeling some relief that now I need never be married into that family. How we reached the town I don't know; but we got there at last, and for a few days lived on a little rice doled out from a temple near the river. The stores of grain supposed to be reserved in every town against famine were found to be bad from neglect, and it was only with difficulty a riot was prevented. The official dared not show his face, as there were rumors that he had been pocketing some of the relief money given by the Government.

On the third day we were all of us too weak to fight our way through the crowd to where rice was being distributed. Near by was a shop where a kind of coarse wheat bread was sold. My mother-in-law eyed it hungrily. There were few about, so she went up to the man and whispered to him. He looked across to me, and then I saw him give her a lump of bread, which she clutched eagerly and disappeared down a back street. I never saw her again. She had sold me to the baker for a piece of bread!