Then the boy grew faint, and knew no more till he awoke, or recovered from his faint, whichever it was, and returning home, undressed, shivering as he did so, and went to bed.
When he afterwards told this tale, there were many who refused to believe that he had ever left his bed, and always insisted that he had dreamt the scene in the porch.
But if it was a dream, it was not without inspiration.
Coming events cast their shadows before.
FOOTNOTES
[6] An ancient inventory of the furniture of such a house lies before the writer as he pens these lines.