صفحة 313 من 1294

What else shall I take? They think I am ill! They don't know that

I can walk, ha-ha-ha! I could see by their eyes that they know

all about it! If only I could get downstairs! And what if they

have set a watch there--policemen! What's this tea? Ah, and here

is beer left, half a bottle, cold!"

He snatched up the bottle, which still contained a glassful of

beer, and gulped it down with relish, as though quenching a flame

in his breast. But in another minute the beer had gone to his

head, and a faint and even pleasant shiver ran down his spine. He

lay down and pulled the quilt over him. His sick and incoherent

thoughts grew more and more disconnected, and soon a light,

pleasant drowsiness came upon him. With a sense of comfort he

nestled his head into the pillow, wrapped more closely about him

the soft, wadded quilt which had replaced the old, ragged

greatcoat, sighed softly and sank into a deep, sound, refreshing

sleep.