The Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man, and The Cold HeartChamisso, Adelbert von
Science
The Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man, and The Cold Heart
Chamisso, Adelbert von
Conduct of life -- Fiction; Fairy tales -- Germany; Shades and shadows -- Fiction
By this time we had reached the thicket of roses. A beautiful girl, who
seemed to be the queen of the day, was obstinately bent on plucking a
rose-branch for herself, and, in the attempt, pricked her finger with a
thorn. The crimson stream, as if flowing from the dark-tinted rose,
tinged her fair hand with the purple current. This circumstance set the
whole company in commotion; and court-plaster was called for. A quiet,
elderly man, tall, and meagre-looking, who was one of the company, but
whom I had not before observed, immediately put his hand into the tight
breast-pocket of his old-fashioned coat of grey sarsnet, pulled out a
small letter-case, opened it, and, with a most respectful bow,
presented the lady with the wished-for article. She received it without
noticing the giver, or thanking him. The wound was bound up; and the
party proceeded along the hill towards the back part, from which they
enjoyed an extensive view across the green labyrinth of the park to the
wide-spreading ocean.
The view was truly a magnificent one. A slight speck was observed on
the horizon, between the dark flood and the azure sky.
"A telescope!" called out Mr. John. But before any of the servants
could answer the summons, the grey man, with a modest bow, drew his
hand from his pocket, and presented a beautiful Dollond's telescope to
Mr. John, who, on looking through it, informed the company that the
speck in the distance was the ship which had sailed yesterday, and
which was detained within sight of the haven by contrary winds.
The telescope passed from hand to hand, but was not returned to the
owner, whom I gazed at with astonishment, for I could not conceive how
so large an instrument could have proceeded from so small a pocket.
This, however, seemed to excite surprise in no one; and the grey man
appeared to create as little interest as myself.
Refreshments were now brought forward, consisting of the rarest fruits
from all parts of the world, served up in the most costly dishes. Mr.
John did the honours with unaffected grace, and addressed me for the
second time, saying, "You had better eat; you did not get such things
at sea." I acknowledged his politeness with a bow, which, however, he
did not perceive, having turned round to speak with some one else.
The party would willingly have stopped some time here on the declivity
of the hill, to enjoy the extensive prospect before them, had they not
been apprehensive of the dampness of the grass.
"How delightful it would be," exclaimed some one, "if we had a Turkey
carpet to lay down here!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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