I was frightened when I found them all about me, but I remembered that before I fainted I tried very hard not to do it; and that was some little comfort. They cushioned me up on a large sofa by the fire, and then the comely landlady told me that I must travel no further to-night, but must go to bed. But this put me into such a tremble lest they should detain me there that she soon recalled her words and compromised for a rest of half an hour.
A good endearing creature she was. She and her three fair girls, all so busy about me. I was to take hot soup and broiled fowl, while Mr. Bucket dried himself and dined elsewhere; but I could not do it when a snug round table was presently spread by the fireside, though I was very unwilling to disappoint them. However, I could take some toast and some hot negus, and as I really enjoyed that refreshment, it made some recompense.
Punctual to the time, at the half-hour's end the carriage came rumbling under the gateway, and they took me down, warmed, refreshed, comforted by kindness, and safe (I assured them) not to faint any more. After I had got in and had taken a grateful leave of them all, the youngest daughter--a blooming girl of nineteen, who was to be the first married, they had told me--got upon the carriage step, reached in, and kissed me. I have never seen her, from that hour, but I think of her to this hour as my friend.

I was frightened when I found them all around me, but I remembered that before I fainted I tried very hard not to do it. They cushioned me up on a large sofa by the fire, and the landlady told me that I must travel no further tonight, but must go to bed. But this put me into such a tremble lest they should detain me there that she compromised for a rest of half an hour.
A good endearing creature she was; she and her three girls, all busy about me. I was to take hot soup and broiled fowl, while Mr. Bucket dried himself and dined elsewhere; but when it was brought to me I could not eat, though I was very unwilling to disappoint them. However, I could take some toast and hot wine-and-water, which made some recompense.
At the half-hour's end the carriage came rumbling under the gateway, and they took me down, warmed, refreshed, and comforted by kindness. After I had got in and had taken a grateful leave of them all, the youngest daughter reached in, and kissed me. I have never seen her since then, but I think of her to this hour as my friend.
