{"id":"01KG6G89R2GQXASQYX74WGVEEW","cid":"bafkreihdokgopevlnhilbji7dfi6etrja27ztgo3slcrbafyrr6xsgy5ya","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":5877,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T03:48:16.150Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 4","source_file":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","start_line":5810,"text":"from a mysterious window of a sort of sentry-box or closet. Like some\r\nsaint in a shrine, the countenance was illuminated by two smoky candles.\r\nI divined the man. I exhibited my diploma, and he nodded me to a little\r\ndoor beyond; while a sudden burst of orchestral music admonished me. I\r\nwas now very near my destination, and also revived the memory of the\r\norgan anthems I had heard while on the ladder of the tower at home.\r\n\r\nNext moment, the wire-woven gauzy screen of the ventilating window in\r\nthat same tower seemed enchantedly reproduced before me. The same hot\r\nblast of stifling air once more rushed into my lungs. From the same\r\ndizzy altitude, through the same fine-spun, vapoury, crapey air; far,\r\nfar down upon just such a packed mass of silent human beings; listening\r\nto just such grand harmonies; I stood within the topmost gallery of the\r\ntemple. But hardly alone and silently as before. This time I had\r\ncompany. Not of the first circles, and certainly not of the\r\ndress-circle; but most acceptable, right welcome, cheery company, to\r\notherwise uncompanioned me. Quiet, well-pleased working men, and their\r\nglad wives and sisters, with here and there an aproned urchin, with\r\nall-absorbed, bright face, vermilioned by the excitement and the heated\r\nair, hovering like a painted cherub over the vast human firmament below.\r\nThe height of the gallery was in truth appalling. The rail was low. I\r\nthought of deep-sea-leads, and the mariner in the vessel’s chains,\r\ndrawing up the line, with his long-drawn musical accompaniment. And like\r\nbeds of glittering coral, through the deep sea of azure smoke, there,\r\nfar down, I saw the jewelled necks and white sparkling arms of crowds of\r\nladies in the semicirque. But, in the interval of two acts, again the\r\norchestra was heard; some inspiring anthem now was played. As the\r\nvolumed sound came undulating up, and broke in showery spray and foam of\r\nmelody against our gallery rail, my head involuntarily was bowed, my\r\nhand instinctively sought my pocket. Only by a second thought did I\r\ncheck my momentary lunacy, and remind myself that this time I had no\r\nsmall morocco book with me, and that this was not the house of prayer.\r\n\r\nQuickly was my wandering mind--preternaturally affected by the sudden\r\ntranslation from the desolate street to this bewildering and blazing\r\nspectacle--arrested in its wanderings, by feeling at my elbow a meaning\r\nnudge; when turning suddenly, I saw a sort of coffee-pot and pewter mug\r\nhospitably presented to me by a ragged, but good-natured-looking boy.\r\n\r\n‘Thank you,’ said I, ‘I won’t take any coffee, I guess.’\r\n\r\n‘Coffee?--I guess?--ain’t you a Yankee?’\r\n\r\n‘Ay, boy; true blue.’\r\n\r\n‘Well, dad’s gone to Yankee-land, a-seekin’ of his fortin; so take a\r\npenny mug of ale, do, Yankee, for poor dad’s sake.’\r\n\r\nOut from the tilted coffee-pot-looking can came a coffee-coloured\r\nstream, and a small mug of humming ale was in my hand.\r\n\r\n‘I don’t want it, boy. The fact is, my boy, I have no penny by me. I\r\nhappened to leave my purse at my lodgings.’\r\n\r\n‘Never do you mind, Yankee; drink to honest dad.’\r\n\r\n‘With all my heart, you generous boy; here’s immortal life to him!’\r\n\r\nHe stared at my strange burst, smiled merrily, and left me, offering his\r\ncoffee-pot in all directions, and not in vain.\r\n\r\n’Tis not always poverty to be poor, mused I; one may fare well without a\r\npenny. A ragged boy may be a prince-like benefactor.\r\n\r\nThat unpurchased pennyworth of ale revived my drooping spirits\r\nstrangely. Stuff was in that barley malt; a most sweet bitterness in\r\nthose blessed hops. God bless the glorious boy!\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 4"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG6G7T9A0M5YBR2ESANM5EKG","peer_type":"section","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG6FXSCNX5F3D880P3YP3PKR","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG2T49K0H5GDRB0G4YDTPG8H","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG6G89R270WFDG3XTZ78A9HG","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG6G89R2BKKNF32M68VAKGM8","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T03:48:21.890Z","ts":"2026-01-30T03:48:27.827Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}