Then, coming on a deep, clear rivulet which ran between two meadows, he yielded to a sudden impulse, and, stripping himself to the skin, plunged into it, wooden leg and all.

There he floated luxuriously for a while, the sun blazing fiercely overhead, and the cool waters playing over his white body.
When he emerged, covered with sparkling drops, he remembered that he had no towel; so there was nothing to be done but to stagger about and disport himself like a naked faun among the buttercups and bulrushes, until the sun had dried him.

As soon as he was dressed, he looked at his watch, and found that it was nearly twelve.

Then he consulted a little time-table, and made a rapid calculation.

It would take him just half-an-hour to reach the station from where he was, and therefore it was high time to start.
Off he set, and arrived there, as it seemed, at a moment of great excitement.