She had commenced by helping herself discreetly to some cherries. M. Vulfran wished her also to take some apricots, peaches and grapes. "Take all you want," he said. "At your age I should have eaten all the fruit that is on the table ... if it had been offered to me." Bastien selected an apricot and peach and placed them before Perrine as he might have done for an intelligent monkey, just to see how the "little animal" would eat. But despite the delicious fruit, Perrine was very pleased when the dinner came to an end. She hoped that the next day the servants would not stare so much. "Now you are free until tomorrow," said M. Vulfran, rising from his seat. "It is moonlight, and you can go for a stroll in the garden, or read in the library, or take a book up to your own room." She was embarrassed, 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."