DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0328
292
HISTORY OF THE SAVAGE OF AVEYNON.
instance, the hour for walking arrives, he runs repeatedly
backward and forward, between the window and the door
of his room, and if he perceives that his governess is not
ready, he fetches and lays in order all the articles of her
dress necessary for the purpose, and even begins to put
them on for her. He then goes down stairs before her
and opens the door. The first thing he does on his arrival
at the Observatory, is to ask for some milk, by presenting
a wooden bowl, which on going away he never forgets to
take with him. With this he provided himself the day
after he had broken a china cup, which used to be em-
ployed for the same purpose. If he wants to dine, he
himself lays the cloth, and puts the plates into the hands
of Madame Guerin, that she may go and fill them. When
he dines in town with his instructor, he expresses all his
wishes to the lady who does the honours of the table. If
she appears not to understand him, he puts his plate by
the side of the dish from which he wishes to be helped,
fixing his eyes steadily upon it. If this fails of producing
the desired effect, he strikes with a fork twice or three
times on the edge of the dish, and if she still neglects
him, he loses all patience; he plunges a spoon or even his
hand into the dish, and in an instant empties the whole
to hi s own plate.
His manner of expressing the affections of the mind,
particularly impatience and ennui, is equally strong.
When fatigued with the length of the visits of inquisitive
strangers, he dismisses them with more frankness than
politeness, presenting to each, but without an air of con-
tempt, their cane, gloves, and hat, then pushing them
gently towards the door, which he shuts after them with
great violence. This kind of language Victor understands,
when employed by others, with the same facility as he
uses it himself; and his readiness in this respect is truly
astonishing
HISTORY OF THE SAVAGE OF AVEYNON.
instance, the hour for walking arrives, he runs repeatedly
backward and forward, between the window and the door
of his room, and if he perceives that his governess is not
ready, he fetches and lays in order all the articles of her
dress necessary for the purpose, and even begins to put
them on for her. He then goes down stairs before her
and opens the door. The first thing he does on his arrival
at the Observatory, is to ask for some milk, by presenting
a wooden bowl, which on going away he never forgets to
take with him. With this he provided himself the day
after he had broken a china cup, which used to be em-
ployed for the same purpose. If he wants to dine, he
himself lays the cloth, and puts the plates into the hands
of Madame Guerin, that she may go and fill them. When
he dines in town with his instructor, he expresses all his
wishes to the lady who does the honours of the table. If
she appears not to understand him, he puts his plate by
the side of the dish from which he wishes to be helped,
fixing his eyes steadily upon it. If this fails of producing
the desired effect, he strikes with a fork twice or three
times on the edge of the dish, and if she still neglects
him, he loses all patience; he plunges a spoon or even his
hand into the dish, and in an instant empties the whole
to hi s own plate.
His manner of expressing the affections of the mind,
particularly impatience and ennui, is equally strong.
When fatigued with the length of the visits of inquisitive
strangers, he dismisses them with more frankness than
politeness, presenting to each, but without an air of con-
tempt, their cane, gloves, and hat, then pushing them
gently towards the door, which he shuts after them with
great violence. This kind of language Victor understands,
when employed by others, with the same facility as he
uses it himself; and his readiness in this respect is truly
astonishing