The Story of My Life: With her letters (1887-1901) and a supplementary account of her education, including passages from the reports and letters of her teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, by John Albert MacyKeller, Helen
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The Story of My Life: With her letters (1887-1901) and a supplementary account of her education, including passages from the reports and letters of her teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, by John Albert Macy
Keller, Helen
Deafblind women -- United States -- Biography; Keller, Helen, 1880-1968
to us; but I never realized until this morning what a blessing you have
been to us." Captain Keller took my hand, but could not speak. But
his silence was more eloquent than words. My heart, too, was full of
gratitude and solemn joy.
The other day Helen came across the word grandfather in a little story
and asked her mother, "Where is grandfather?" meaning her grandfather.
Mrs. Keller replied, "He is dead." "Did father shoot him?" Helen
asked, and added, "I will eat grandfather for dinner." So far, her only
knowledge of death is in connection with things to eat. She knows that
her father shoots partridges and deer and other game.
This morning she asked me the meaning of "carpenter," and the question
furnished the text for the day's lesson. After talking about the various
things that carpenters make, she asked me, "Did carpenter make me?" and
before I could answer, she spelled quickly, "No, no, photographer made
me in Sheffield."
One of the greatest iron furnaces has been started in Sheffield, and
we went over the other evening to see them make a "run." Helen felt the
heat and asked, "Did the sun fall?"
January 9, 1888.
The report came last night. I appreciate the kind things Mr. Anagnos has
said about Helen and me; but his extravagant way of saying them rubs me
the wrong way. The simple facts would be so much more convincing! Why,
for instance, does he take the trouble to ascribe motives to me that I
never dreamed of? You know, and he knows, and I know, that my motive in
coming here was not in any sense philanthropic. How ridiculous it is to
say I had drunk so copiously of the noble spirit of Dr. Howe that I was
fired with the desire to rescue from darkness and obscurity the little
Alabamian! I came here simply because circumstances made it necessary
for me to earn my living, and I seized upon the first opportunity that
offered itself, although I did not suspect nor did he, that I had any
special fitness for the work.
January 26, 1888.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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