The dead hen he had taken out first of all, carrying it by one leg.

It was a gruesome horror, partly eaten by rats, swollen, abnormally heavy, one side flattened from lying so long upon the floor.

He could hardly stand; each time he bent over it seemed as though his backbone was disjointing.

After cleaning out the debris he began to sweep.

The dust was fearful, choking, blinding, so thick that he could hardly see what he was about.