We hear the name of the house to which we are bound, and prepare to follow.

The touter carries a lantern of that ingenious size which helps to make the darkness more visible; two steps, and you are over the ankles in mud.

"Show a light, boy." He turns round, and, placing his lantern close to the ground, you see at a glance the horrid truth revealed--you are in a perfect mud swamp; so, tuck up your trowsers, and wade away to the omnibuses, about a quarter of a mile off.
Gracious me! there are two ladies, with their dresses hitched up like kilts, sliding and floundering through the slushy road.

How miserable they must be, poor things! Not the least; they are both tittering and giggling merrily; they are accustomed to it, and habit is second nature.
A man from the Old World of advanced civilization--in these matters of minor comforts, at least--will soon learn to conduct himself upon the principle, that where ignorance is bliss, wisdom becomes folly.
Laughing, like love, is catching; so these two jolly ladies put me in a good humour, and I laughed my way to the 'bus half up to my knees in mud.

After all, it made it lighter work than growling, and go I must; so thank you, ladies, for the cheering example.
Hot tea soon washes away from a thirsty and wearied soul the remembrance of muddy boots, and a good Havana soothes the wounded spirit.