I had now a roof above my head; but beyond this I had gained nothing.

The cottage consisted of a single room, and was almost completely filled by four broad bedsteads.

I counted seven adults and three children, who had all to be accommodated in these four beds.

In addition to this, the kvef, a kind of croup, prevailed this spring to such an extent that scarcely any one escaped it.

Wherever I went, I found the people afflicted with this complaint; and here this was also the case; the noise of groaning and coughing on all sides was quite deplorable.