“I was in great difficulty: I had an urgent trip ahead of me; a seriously ill patient was waiting for me about ten miles from here in the village; a strong snowstorm covered a considerable space between him and me with snow; I also had a cart, light, with large wheels, just what we needed for our rural roads; wrapped in a fur coat, with a bag in my hand, I was ready to leave, but I was still stomping around in the yard - there was no horse! Where is the horse? My own mare died just last night, unable to withstand the trials of the icy winter; and the maid was running around the village, trying to beg someone for a horse, but all to no avail, and I knew that there would be no sense, and I stuck here like a restless person, the snow covered me, turning me more and more into a numb lump...”