Hestudiedthenail-formation，andproddedthefinger-tips，nowsharply，andagainsoftly，gaugingthewhilethenerve-sensationsproduced。Itfascinatedhim，andhegrewsuddenlyfondofthissubtlefleshofhisthatworkedsobeautifullyandsmoothlyanddelicately。Thenhewouldcastaglanceoffearatthewolf-circledrawnexpectantlyabouthim，andlikeablowtherealizationwouldstrikehimthatthiswonderfulbodyofhis，thislivingflesh，wasnomorethansomuchmeat，aquestofravenousanimals，tobetornandslashedbytheirhungryfangs，tobesustenancetothemasthemooseandtherabbithadoftenbeensustenancetohim。
Hecameoutofadozethatwashalfnightmare，toseethered-huedshe-wolfbeforehim。Shewasnotmorethanhalfadozenfeetaway，sittinginthesnowandwistfullyregardinghim。Thetwodogswerewhimperingandsnarlingathisfeet，butshetooknonoticeofthem。Shewaslookingattheman，andforsometimehereturnedherlook。Therewasnothingthreateningabouther。Shelookedathimmerelywithagreatwistfulness，butheknewittobethewistfulnessofanequallygreathunger。Hewasthefood，andthesightofhimexcitedinherthegustatorysensations。Hermouthopened，thesalivadrooledforth，andshelickedherchopswiththepleasureofanticipation。
Aspasmoffearwentthroughhim。Hereachedhastilyforabrandtothrowather。Butevenashereached，andbeforehisfingershadclosedonthemissile，shesprangbackintosafety；andheknewthatshewasusedtohavingthingsthrownather。Shehadsnarledasshesprangaway，baringherwhitefangstotheirroots，allherwistfulnessvanishing，beingreplacedbyacarnivorousmalignitythatmadehimshudder。Heglancedatthehandthatheldthebrand，noticingthecunningdelicacyofthefingersthatgrippedit，howtheyadjustedthemselvestoalltheinequalitiesofthesurface，curlingoverandunderandabouttheroughwood，andonelittlefinger，tooclosetotheburningportionofthebrand，sensitivelyandautomaticallywrithingbackfromthehurtfulheattoacoolergripping-place；
andinthesameinstantheseemedtoseeavisionofthosesamesensitiveanddelicatefingersbeingcrushedandtornbythewhiteteethoftheshe-wolf。
Neverhadhebeensofondofthisbodyofhisasnowwhenhistenureofitwassoprecarious。