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They rose up and wandered along, hand in hand and hopeless.

They tried to estimate how long they had been in the cave, but all they knew was that it seemed days and weeks, and yet it was plain that this could not be, for their candles were not gone yet.

A long time after this-they could not tell how long-Tom said they must go softly and listen for dripping water-they must find a spring.

They found one presently, and Tom said it was time to rest again.

Both were cruelly tired, yet Becky said she thought she could go a little farther.

She was surprised to hear Tom dissent.

She could not understand it.

They sat down, and Tom fastened his candle to the wall in front of them with some clay.

Thought was soon busy; nothing was said for some time.

Then Becky broke the silence:

"Tom, I am so hungry!"

Tom took something out of his pocket.

"Do you remember this?" said he.

Becky almost smiled.

"It's our wedding-cake, Tom."

"Yes-I wish it was as big as a barrel, for it's all we've got."

"I saved it from the picnic for us to dream on, Tom, the way grownup people do with wedding-cake-but it'll be our-"

She dropped the sentence where it was. Tom divided the cake and Becky ate with good appetite, while Tom nibbled at his moiety. There was abundance of cold water to finish the feast with. By-and-by Becky suggested that they move on again. Tom was silent a moment. Then he said:

"Becky, can you bear it if I tell you something?"

Becky's face paled, but she thought she could.

"Well, then, Becky, we must stay here, where there's water to drink. That little piece is our last candle!"

Becky gave loose to tears and wailings. Tom did what he could to comfort her, but with little effect. At length Becky said:

"Tom!"

"Well, Becky?"

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