On the opposite side was a
window projecting from the wall, whence he could look in three
different directions. The wide country lay at his feet. He saw the
winding road by which he had ascended, the gate by which he had
entered, the meadow with its white stripes through which he had
come, and the river flowing down. He followed it with his
eyes:--lo, there was the sea, shining in the sun like a diamond
shield! It was but the little German Ocean, yet one with the great
world-ocean. He turned to his conductor.
"Yes," said the old man, answering his look, "it's a glorious sight!
When first I looked out there I thought I was in eternity."
The walls were bare even of plaster; he could have counted the
stones in them; but they were dry as a bone.
"You are wondering," said the old man, "how you are to keep warm in
the winter! Look here: you shut this door over the window! See how
thick and strong it is! There is your fireplace; and for fuel,
there's plenty below! It is a labour to carry it up, I grant; but
if I was you, I would set to o' nights when nobody was about, and
carry till I had a stock laid in!"
"But," said Donal, "I should fill up my room. I like to be able to
move about a little!"
"Ah," replied the old man, "you don't know what a space you have up
here all to yourself! Come this way."
Two turns more up the stair, and they came to another door.
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