He gasped, turned his back to the wall with an effort that thrilled him with pain, and opened his eyes.
Naught that he saw reminded him of the preceding day.

Sunny peace and contentment reigned.

The door stood wide open, and as it faced the south, the noonday sun pushed in--clear to the opposite wall--a broad band of mellow light, vividly telling of the glory he was shedding where roof nor shade checked his genial glow.

On the smooth, hard, ashen floor, in the center of this bright zone, sat a matronly cat, giving with tongue and paw dainty finishing touches to her morning toilet, and watching with maternal pride a kittenish game of hide-and-seek on the front step.

Through the open doorway came the self-complacent cackling of hens, celebrating their latest additions to their nests, and the exultant call of a cock to his feathered harem to come, admire and partake of some especially fat worm, which he had just unearthed.
Farther away speckled Guinea chickens were clamoring their satisfaction at the improvement in the weather.