As soon as I reached the fire-place, I snatched out the red-hot poker, and, brandishing it over my head, made for the door.
They all jumped up to detain me, but I made a poke at the foremost, which made her run back with a shriek, (I do believe that I burnt her nose.) I seized my opportunity, and escaped into the street, whirling the poker round my head, while all the women followed, hooting and shouting after me.

I never stopped running and whirling my poker until I was reeking with perspiration, and the poker was quite cold.

Then I looked back, and found that I was alone.

It was very dark; every house was shut up, and not a light to be seen anywhere.

I stopped at the corner, not knowing where I was, or what I was to do.