All had taken their places except the fat man, who stood at the door of the inn impatiently. As the coach had to climb the mountain for some distance, a strong team of twelve oxen had been fastened to it, gay with red caps and brass bells. The guard called to the fat passenger, "Take your place, sir, if you please. I can wait no longer."
Suddenly the waiter came running with a steaming cup of tea on a tray. The fat passenger had one foot on the step of the coach, but he uttered a cry of joy, seized the cup, and raised it to his lips. But the next instant he cried out in distress, and put the cup back on the tray.