Alas, for the effects of bad tea and bad temper! What else could it be that made me pass such a terrible night?
I don't remember another that I can at all compare with it since I was capable of suffering.
I began to dream, almost before I ceased to be sensible of my locality.

I thought it was morning; and I had set out on my way home, with Joseph for a guide.

The snow lay yards deep in our road; and, as we floundered on, my companion wearied me with constant reproaches that I had not brought a pilgrim's staff: telling me that I could never get into the house without one, and boastfully flourishing a heavy-headed cudgel, which I understood to be so denominated.

For a moment I considered it absurd that I should need such a weapon to gain admittance into my own residence.

Then a new idea flashed across me.