"Plain furnished place theirs was; but, bless you, it was like a little palace, for Sam's wife had a knack of making things show off to the best advantage, and that, too, without being one of them horrible cleaning women, who seems to think as furniture and carpets was made a purpose to be rubbed up and shook, while floors wasn't for nothing else but scrubbing. "Sam seemed fast asleep, and after giving a look at him I made myself as comfortable as I could in the easy chair, with the rug, in front of the fire, and sat there thinking about the onions I had for supper. Not as I wanted to, you know, but onions is things as will make you think about 'em afterwards, and that ain't the worst of it, for they takes precious good care that every one else shall know you've had 'em. About half-past two I had a weak mixing of gin and water, and all that time poor Sam hadn't stirred; but just as I'd finished my glass, which was about three, for I took time over it and smoked a pipe, sending all the smoke up the chimney--just as I'd done I heard Sam stir and say something; but he was quiet again directly, and my orders were to wait till he asked for his medicine. So all I had to do was to sit still and wait. "It was hard work keeping awake between four and five, but I managed it; for I took off my boots, and walked up and down the room softly, trying to count up how many streets I passed on the near side from Piccadilly to the Mansion House and how many coming back again; and though I tried at it for an hour, I never got it right, for the streets seemed to dodge from one side to the other, and bothered me; but I kept awake, and sat down at five o'clock, feeling rather shivery, to another taste of gin and water, and all that time poor Sam never moved--only breathed softly when I went to listen. "Seven o'clock came at last by Sam's watch, standing in the little sand-castle on the chimney-piece; and then I called his wife gently, and in a few minutes more she was down, and wanted to get me some breakfast; but I said `No!' for I knew it would be ready at home; and I was just going when I heard her give a shriek by the bedside, and down she went upon the floor--fainted dead away. "He never give more than a sigh, mum, or I must have heerd him; for my eyes never closed that night, and though p'raps last time I looked I ought to have seen it, yet, not thinking of anything, my sight being not so keen as that of his own wife, who, poor woman! I lifted into a chair, and called for help.