Now the fire-room was small.

It had been planned for a night coal-passer.

So I had to pile the night coal higher and higher, buttressing up the heap with stout planks.

Toward the top of the heap I had to handle the coal a second time, tossing it up with a shovel.
I dripped with sweat, but I never ceased from my stride, though I could feel exhaustion coming on.

By ten o'clock in the morning, so much of my body's energy had I consumed, I felt hungry and snatched a thick double-slice of bread and butter from my dinner pail.