26Eating a nutritious breakfast was the way Dr. Withers liked to start the group functioning each day. Too many interruptions had already occurred in the few weeks since their arrival. With everyone finally back in camp, they could resume the routine of an early morning meal and discussion of the day's agenda. Chione felt too agitated to eat much. Her appetite fluctuated. One day she would be ravenously hungry; too hot, sticky and tired to eat the next.
She glanced outside the tent. Onlookers gathered again but the group was sparser. Blowing sand kept many away. Those who dared to stay pitched lean-tos or stretched sheets of fabric on sticks to divert the gritty air. The dry earth was so stirred up, even when the wind withdrew between gusts, sand and dust hung suspended, thick as arid sou
