Cheering and inviting as the
distant chorus sounded, it resolved itself by and by into single
barks, and every bark seemed to say, "Away with you," "Stand back,"
"No strangers admitted," and the like. A gust of wind brought to
our nostrils warmish air laden with all kinds of smells: smells of
smouldering dung, of garbage, and of humanity in general. Soon
lights began to twinkle from huddled shanties and from broad-faced
houses, as if welcoming our arrival. It looked as if the village
were priding itself on its lights, and boasting before Heaven: "See
how much stronger I am: sunk in the deep slush of a dirty valley, I
have my own lights, and my own stars within myself."
The village seemed to have shrunk within the limits of its own nest,
glad that it need not know the ills and the hardships of travel.
The driver ordered an hour's rest.
IX
After we had warmed ourselves a little in the village inn, we
returned to our seats in the coach, and the drive continued his
"talk" with the horses. The old man resumed his story:--
Well, I had fallen into debt; and my two creditors were very hard to
satisfy.
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