for I was passing through a cruel spell. And I took the list and divided it into two parts: a class that could be overcome, and another hard to master —

and this latter was the fire's portion.

Believe it or not, I say in truth that when I saw the last spark of its flame die away, I felt that a burden had been lifted from me — as though it had been a paper of magic, and in ridding myself of it I found rest.

I returned home, leaving my office in a state of disorder, and stayed in the house two weeks. When I went back to the office again, the other list was still there; I set it before me, and shut myself for a quarter of an hour in the boat of worry, closing my eyes to everything around me; and I felt better after

facing the troubles. The next day I was walking upon the clouds, and as the days passed, the worries began to melt away, and I came to rest easy in my sleep. Thus I understood what the talk in the books means: that the ulcer is caused by nervousness turned into constant worry. I am no psychologist, but I am a man trying to create the better for a happier life; and I understood that the easiest way to avoid distress is to plunge into it and face it, for if we shy away from it, it hovers over us and defeats us. This method may serve no one but me, yet it served me, and I now find ample time for merriment, and for sleep, and I walk along with my friend the ulcer; we form a single front — and I think we are set for a long while to come!...