Nevertheless he awoke before midnight, and it was a very slight thing that caused him to come out of sleep.

Despite the languor produced by food and heat a certain nervous apprehension had been at work in the boy's mind, and it followed him into the unknown regions of sleep.

His body was dead for a time and his mind too, but this nervous power worked on, almost independently of him.

It had noted the sound of voices nearby, and awakened him, as if he had been shaken by a rough hand.
He sat up in his bed and became conscious of a hot and aching head.

Then he remembered the window, and softly drawing two pegs that fastened it in order that he might not awaken his good hosts, he opened it inward a few inches.
The cold air poured in at the crevice and felt like heaven on his face.
His temples quit throbbing and his head ceased to ache.