In Oxford Street

           "IngoingdownstairsthefirsttimeIfoundanunexpecteddifficultybecauseIcouldnotseemyfeet;indeedIstumbledtwice,andtherewasanunaccustomedclumsinessingrippingthebolt. Bynotlookingdown,however,Imanagedtowalkonthelevelpassablywell. 

           "Mymood,Isay,wasoneofexaltation. Ifeltasaseeingmanmightdo,withpaddedfeetandnoiselessclothes,inacityoftheblind. Iexperiencedawildimpulsetojest,tostartlepeople,toclapmenontheback,flingpeople'shatsastray,andgenerallyrevelinmyextraordinaryadvantage. 

           "ButhardlyhadIemergeduponGreatPortlandStreet,however(mylodgingwasclosetothebigdraper'sshopthere),whenIheardaclashingconcussionandwashitviolentlybehind,andturningsawamancarryingabasketofsoda-watersyphons,andlookinginamazementathisburden. Althoughtheblowhadreallyhurtme,IfoundsomethingsoirresistibleinhisastonishmentthatIlaughedaloud. 'Thedevil'sinthebasket,'Isaid,andsuddenlytwisteditoutofhishand. Heletgoincontinently,andIswungthewholeweightintotheair. 

           "Butafoolofacabman,standingoutsideapublichouse,madeasuddenrushforthis,andhisextendingfingerstookmewithexcruciatingviolenceundertheear. Iletthewholedownwithasmashonthecabman,andthen,withshoutsandtheclatteroffeetaboutme,peoplecomingoutofshops,vehiclespullingup,IrealisedwhatIhaddoneformyself,andcursingmyfolly,backedagainstashopwindowandpreparedtododgeoutoftheconfusion.