I started to get up, and to my astonishment found that I could not.

With the chill wind blowing on me, my spent body had stiffened into the seat.

It took me the rest of the run in to unkink my complaining joints and muscles and get into a standing position on the lower step.

And when the car stopped at my corner I nearly fell to the ground when I stepped off.
I hobbled two blocks to the house and limped into the kitchen.

While my mother started to cook, I plunged into bread and butter; but before my appetite was appeased, or the steak fried, I was sound asleep.