Moby Dick

[Old Thunder]

The shavings flew right and left; till at last the plane-iron came bump against an indestructible knot.

 

[Old Thunder]

The landlord was near spraining his wrist, and I told him for heaven's sake to quit -- the bed was soft enough to suit me, and I did not know how all the planing in the world could make eider down of a pine plank.

 

[Old Thunder]

So gathering up the shavings with another grin, and throwing them into the great stove in the middle of the room, he went about his business, and left me in a brown study.

 

[Old Thunder]

I now took the measure of the bench, and found that it was a foot too short; but that could be mended with a chair.

 

[Old Thunder]

But it was a foot too narrow, and the other bench in the room was about four inches higher than the planed one -- so there was no yoking them.

 

[Old Thunder]

I then placed the first bench lengthwise along the only clear space against the wall, leaving a little interval between, for my back to settle down in.

 

[Old Thunder]

But I soon found that there came such a draught of cold air over me from under the sill of the window, that this plan would never do at all, especially as another current from the rickety door met the one from the window, and both together formed a series of small whirlwinds in the immediate vicinity of the spot where I had thought to spend the night.

 

[Old Thunder]

The devil fetch that harpooner, thought I, but stop! couldn't I steal a march on him -- bolt his door inside, and jump into his bed, not to be wakened by the most violent knockings?

 

[Old Thunder]

It seemed no bad idea; but upon second thoughts I dismissed it.

 

[Old Thunder]

For who could tell but what the next morning, so soon as I popped out of the room, the harpooner might be standing in the entry, all ready to knock me down!