August was in despair about my table, my chair, my bed, and so on.  It was with difficulty that I withheld him from cudgelling the host who would take money for such a hole.  I was obliged to satisfy him with the most holy assurances, that on the following day I would remove without delay.  “But tell him,” prayed August, “before you pay him, that he is a villain, a usurer, a cheat, a—­ or if you like, I will—­”

“No, no; heaven defend us!” interrupted I, “be quiet, and let me only manage.”

After my young friend had left me, I passed several happy hours in thinking on the change in my fate, and inwardly thanking God for it.  My thoughts then rambled to the parsonage; and heaven knows what fat oxen and cows, what pleasure grounds, with flowers, fruits, and vegetables, I saw in spirit surrounding my new paradise, where my Eve walked by my side, and supported on my arm; and especially what an innumerable crowd of happy and edified people I saw streaming from the church when I had preached.  I baptized, I confirmed, I comforted my beloved community in the zeal and warmth of my heart—­and forgot only the funerals.

Every poor clergyman who has received a living, every mortal, especially to whom unexpectedly a long-cherished wish has been accomplished, will easily picture to himself my state.

Later in the night it sunk at last like a veil before my eyes, and my thoughts fell by degrees into a bewilderment which exhibited on every hand strange images.  I preached with a loud voice in my church, and the congregation slept.  After the service, the people came out of the church like oxen and cows, and bellowed against me when I would have admonished them.  I wished to embrace my wife, but could not separate her from a great turnip, which increased every moment, and at last grew over both our heads.  I endeavored to climb up a ladder to heaven, whose stars beckoned kindly and brightly to me; but potatoes, grass, vetches, and peas, entangled my feet unmercifully, and hindered every step.  At last I saw myself in the midst of my possessions walking upon my head, and whilst in my sleepy soul I greatly wondered how this was possible, I slept soundly in the remembrance of my dream.  Yet then, however, I must unconsciously have continued the chain of my pastoral thoughts, for I woke in the morning with the sound of my own voice loudly exclaiming, “Amen.”

That the occurrences of the former evening were actual truth, and no dream, I could only convince myself with difficulty, till August paid me a visit, and invited me to dine with his parents.

The living, Wilhelmina, the dinner, the new chain of hopes for the future which beamed from the bright sun of the present, all surprised me anew with a joy, which one can feel very well, but never can describe.

Out of the depths of a thankful heart, I saluted the new life which opened to me, with the firm determination that, let happen what might, yet always to do the right, and to hope for the best.