Anyway, there is nothing more certain nor more
astonishing than that a well man cannot conceive the feelings of a sick
man, even though he try, and that those who are sick have to grin and
bear it all without any very great affliction falling to the lot of
those who stand at the bedside.
BEHOLD THE STRONG MAN IN THE FEVERISH AIR
of the sick-chamber. Last week all his clock-wheels worked with ease,
and merrily struck the hours of feast and sleep. Afterward the wheels
dragged a little and annoyed him some. Suddenly a whole handful of sand
was thrown into the cogs, and the cogs have been grinding it and the
hammer striking continuously ever since. His brain is distracted, his
soul is sorely perplexed, and his mind is like an infant in
house-cleaning time, strangely in the way and infinitely aware of it.
Here lies proud-riding vanity, thrown from his high saddle. Kindnesses
are showered on him of which he feels that he deserves few, and yet
wants more.
SYMPATHY IS EXPRESSED
for him which greatly moves him, for he is accompanying the words he
hears with the ills he feels, while the speaker is speaking a
conventionality which he would feel had he the ability.
Pages:
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263