ed, wondering if she ought not to tell M. Vulfran that
she would do as he wished. While she stood hesitating she saw Bastien
making signs to her which at first she did not understand. He held an
imaginary book in one hand and appeared to be turning the pages with the
other, then glanced at M. Vulfran and moved his lips as though he were
reading. Suddenly Perrine understood. She was to ask if she might read
to him.

"But don't you need me, sir?" she said, timidly. "Would you not like me
to read to you?"

Bastien nodded his head in approval. He seemed delighted that she had
guessed what he had tried to explain.

"Oh, you need some time to yourself," replied M. Vulfran.

"I assure you that I am not at all tired," said Perrine.

"Very well, then," said the blind man; "follow me into the study."

The library was a big somber room separated from the dining room by the
hall. There was a strip of carpet laid from one room to the other, which
was a guide for the blind man. He now walked direct to the room
opposite.

Perrine had wondered how he spent his time when he was alone, as he
could not read. From the appearance of the room one could not guess, for
the large table was covered with papers and magazines. Before the window
stood a large Voltaire chair, upholstered in tapestry. The chair was
rather worn. This seemed to indicate that the blind man sat for long
hours face to face with the sky, the clouds of which he could never see.

"What could you read to me?" he asked Perrine.

"A newspaper," she said, "if you wish. There are some on the table."

"The less time one gives to the newspapers the better," he replied. "Do
you like books on travels?"

"Yes, sir; I do," she said.

"I do, too," he said. "They amuse one as well as instruct one."

Then, as though speaking to himself, as though unaware of her presence,
he said softly: "Get away from yourself. Get interested in another life
than your own."

"We'll read from 'Around the World'," he said. He led her to a bookcase
which contained several volumes on travels and told her to look in the
index.

"What shall I look for?" she asked.

"Look in the I's ... for the word India."

Thus he was following his own thoughts. How could he live the life of
another? His one thought was of his son. He now wanted to read about the
country where his boy lived.

"Tell me what you find," he said.

She read aloud the various headings concerning India. He told her which
volu