The First Friendship.
[Illustration]
In pursuance of the system which by Maxim’s influence had been
established, the blind boy had as far as possible been left to his own
resources; and from this system the best results had ensued. In the
house he showed no signs of helplessness, but moved from place to place
without faltering; took care of his own room, and kept his belongings
and his toys in order. Neither did Maxim by any means neglect physical
exercises; the boy had his regular gymnastics, and in his sixth year
Maxim presented his nephew with a gentle little horse. At first the
mother could not believe it possible that her blind child could ride on
horseback, and she called her brother’s scheme “perfect madness.” But the
old soldier exerted his utmost influence and in two or three months the
boy was galloping merrily side by side with Joachim, who directed him
only at turnings.
Thus blindness proved no drawback to systematic physical development,
while its influence over the moral nature of the child was reduced
to its minimum. He was tall for his age and well built; his face was
somewhat pale, his features fine and expressive. His dark hair enhanced
the pallid hue of his complexion, while his eyes—large, dark, and almost
motionless—gave him a peculiar aspect that at once attracted attention.
A slight wrinkle between his eye-brows, a habit of inclining his head
slightly forward, and the expression of sadness that sometimes overcast
his handsome face,—these were the outward tokens of his blindness. When
surrounded by familiar objects he moved readily and without restraint;
but still it was evident that his instinctive vivacity was repressed, and
it was only by certain fitful outbursts of nervous excitement that it was
ever manifested.