, flat check-bones: he wore a rough coat and
smelt of raw meat. My aunt called him a respectable man, a cavalier,
and even a grenadier. He had a way of tapping children on the forehead
with the hard nails of his long fingers (he used to do it to me when
I was younger) and saying, "Hear how empty your head sounds," and then
laughing at his own wit. And this idiot was to have my watch? Never!
was what I determined as I rushed from the room and flung myself at
full length on my bed, my cheeks burning with the box on the ear I had
just received. But in my heart was burning the bitterness of outraged
dignity and thirst for revenge. Never would I let him triumph over
me--wear the watch, hang the chain over his waistcoat, and neigh with
joy. That was all very well, but how prevent it? I determined to steal
the watch from my aunt.

VIII.

Fortunately, Trankwillitatin was just at this time out of town. He
could not come to see us before the next day: advantage must be
taken of the intervening night. My aunt did not sleep with her door
locked--indeed, throughout the house we had no keys in the doors--but
where did she hide the watch? Until evening she carried it about in
her pocket, and so ensured its safety, but at night where will she put
it? Well, that's just what I must find out, I thought, and clenched my
fist. I was glowing with audacity and fear and joy at the idea of the
crime I was about to commit. I kept nodding my head, I wrinkled my
forehead, I whispered to myself, "Just wait!" I kept threatening every
one: I was cross, I was dangerous; and I even avoided David. No one,
and particularly not he, should have any suspicion of what I was about
to do. I would act alone, and bear the whole responsibility. Slowly
the day crept by, then the evening: at last night came. I did nothing:
I scarcely moved. One thought filled my head. At supper my father,
whose anger never lasted very long, and who was already a little
sorry for his violence, tried to bring me back to my good-humor, but I
repelled his advances--not, as he thought, because I could not conquer
my wrath, but simply because I feared becoming sentimental. I must
preserve undiminished the whole glow of my indignation, the whole
vigor of an unalterable determination. I went to bed early, but you
may well believe I did not close my eyes. I kept them wide open,
although I had pulled the bed-clothes over my head. I had not thought
over beforehand what I should do: