After a sound drubbing followed by half a day's fasting, I felt more like laughing than like crying; and, in half a while, all was forgotten and my wickedness began afresh and worse than ever.

He went, ever on the move, with the slow, shuffling step of wandering beggars who are nowhere at home.

Not a living thing was to be seen and the cottages that sat huddled close to the ground remained fast shut; the smoke from the chimneys alone still gave a sign of life.

Now, I don't know how many of you have ever seen a ceramics wheel turning, but if you have, you know it's magic.