Bending over him was a tall , gaunt woman with a thin , determined face and snapping black eyes , and , standing beside her with a steaming bowl in her hand , was the nice rosy lady who had given him the taffy on the boat ! When he opened his eyes , Miss Salome knew him . `` Why , it 's the little boy I saw on the boat ! '' she exclaimed . `` Well , you 've come to ! '' said Clemantiny , eyeing Chester severely . `` And now perhaps you 'll explain what you mean by fainting away on doorsteps and scaring people out of their senses . '' Chester thought that this must be the mistress of Mount Hope Farm , and hastened to propitiate her . `` I 'm sorry , '' he faltered feebly . `` I did n't mean to -- I -- '' `` You 're not to do any talking until you 've had something to eat , '' snapped Clemantiny inconsistently . `` Here , open your mouth and take this broth . Pretty doings , I say ! '' Clemantiny spoke as sharply as Aunt Harriet had ever done , but somehow or other Chester did not feel afraid of her and her black eyes . She sat down by his side and fed him from the bowl of hot broth with a deft gentleness oddly in contrast with her grim expression . Chester thought he had never in all his life tasted anything so good as that broth . The boy was really almost starved . He drank every drop of it . Clemantiny gave a grunt of satisfaction as she handed the empty bowl and spoon to the silent , smiling Miss Salome . `` Now , who are you and what do you want ? '' she said .
Chester had been expecting this question , and while coming along the Hopedale road he had XXXXX out an answer to it .
're 've Bending explain fed open smiling standing starved thought