satovermyhouselesscup，ponderingwheretogonext，amaninahighandlongsnuff-colouredcoat，andshoes，and，tothebestofmybelief，nothingelsebutahat，whotookoutofhishatalargecoldmeatpudding；ameatpuddingsolargethatitwasaverytightfit，andbroughttheliningofthehatoutwithit。Thismysteriousmanwasknownbyhispudding，foronhisentering，themanofsleepbroughthimapintofhottea，asmallloaf，andalargeknifeandforkandplate。Lefttohimselfinhisbox，hestoodthepuddingonthebaretable，and，insteadofcuttingit，stabbedit，overhand，withtheknife，likeamortalenemy；thentooktheknifeout，wipeditonhissleeve，torethepuddingasunderwithhisfingers，andateitallup。Theremembranceofthismanwiththepuddingremainswithmeastheremembranceofthemostspectralpersonmyhouselessnessencountered。TwiceonlywasIinthatestablishment，andtwiceIsawhimstalkinasIshouldsay，justoutofbed，andpresentlygoingbacktobed，takeouthispudding，stabhispudding，wipethedagger，andeathispuddingallup。Hewasamanwhosefigurepromisedcadaverousness，butwhohadanexcessivelyredface，thoughshapedlikeahorse’s。Onthesecondoccasionofmyseeinghim，hesaidhuskilytothemanofsleep，’AmIredto-night？’’Youare，’heuncompromisinglyanswered。’Mymother，’saidthespectre，’wasared-facedwomanthatlikeddrink，andIlookedatherhardwhenshelaidinhercoffin，andItookthecomplexion。’Somehow，thepuddingseemedanunwholesomepuddingafterthat，andIputmyselfinitswaynomore。

　　Whentherewasnomarket，orwhenIwantedvariety，arailwayterminuswiththemorningmailscomingin，wasremunerativecompany。Butlikemostofthecompanytobehadinthisworld，itlastedonlyaveryshorttime。Thestationlampswouldburstoutablaze，theporterswouldemergefromplacesofconcealment，thecabsandtruckswouldrattletotheirplacesthepost-officecartswerealreadyintheirs，and，finally，thebellwouldstrikeup，andthetrainwouldcomebangingin。Buttherewerefewpassengersandlittleluggage，andeverythingscuttledawaywiththegreatestexpedition。Thelocomotivepost-offices，withtheirgreatnets-

　　asiftheyhadbeendraggingthecountryforbodies-wouldflyopenastotheirdoors，andwoulddisgorgeasmelloflamp，anexhaustedclerk，aguardinaredcoat，andtheirbagsofletters；

　　theenginewouldblowandheaveandperspire，likeanenginewipingitsforeheadandsayingwhatarunithadhad；andwithintenminutesthelampswereout，andIwashouselessandaloneagain。

　　Butnow，thereweredrivencattleonthehighroadnear，wantingascattlealwaysdototurnintothemidstofstonewalls，andsqueezethemselvesthroughsixinches’widthofironrailing，andgettingtheirheadsdownalsoascattlealwaysdofortossing-

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