I had not slept off of the ground or in a house in three years.

It was something new to me, and I could not sleep, for the room was so dark that had I got up I could not have found my way out.

I laid there, I do not know how long, but I heard a rooster crow, and a dim twilight began to glimmer in the room, and even footsteps were audible in the rooms below.

I got sleepy then, and went off in a doze.

I had a beautiful dream--dreamed that I was in heaven, or rather, that a pair of stairs with richly carved balusters and wings, and golden steps overlaid with silk and golden-colored carpeting came down from heaven to my room; and two beautiful damsels kept peeping, and laughing, and making faces at me from the first platform of these steps; and every now and then they would bring out their golden harps, and sing me a sweet and happy song.