Bourbon or two,” I say.
“It’s possible,” he answers, shrugging. “The only problem— Doctor —is that everyone who can sort it out for us is dead. And unless you can figure out a way to make the dead speak, I’m afraid I must classify you as an official waste of my time.”
And with that, he loosens his grip on my arm. He nods curtly, bids me good afternoon, and becomes once more that veteran of forgotten wars, marching down the Vieille Estrapade de Fourcy. Only two details mar the illusion: the right foot, dragging ever so slightly after him, more afterthought than wound—and the skewed smile that wrinkles his face as it turns back to me.
“Now might be a good time to get reacquainted with your father. Don’t you think, Hector?”
28 T HERMIDOR Y EAR II
Must speak w/Barras & commissaries re restrictions. Am permitted to see Charles for only 1 hr in early A.M . Guard must be present at all times—confidences of any kind btw patient & me impossible. If I wish to stay longer, I must petition Committee 3 days in advance.
For rest of time, Charles remains utterly alone in cell. No fire, no candle. Only sounds he hears are bolts ; sliding of earthenware plate thru wicket; voices commanding him to go to bed; voices waking him up, periodically, thruout night.
Before incarceration, boy was, by all reports, outgoing, good-natured. 6 mos. of confinement have left him almost entirely w/o affect: eyes languid, expression fixed & disinterested.
Food extremely poor. 2 daily portions of soup, watery, flavorless. Morsels of beef. Loaf of black bread. Pitcher of water. Have explained to Barras that poor diet & long confinement have substantially weakened patient. Have expressed desire to personally escort Charles out of cell for limited exercise. Must await decision of Committee of General Security.
This A.M. , Charles asked why I was taking care of him. Because it is my duty, I said. But I thought you didn’t like me, he said. Quite the contrary, I said.
It’s clear he experiences far greater alarm at kindness than at ill usage. Must learn more about prior treatment.
3 F RUCTIDOR
Progress . Charles able to walk for greater distances w/o support. Still experiences great pain in knees, ankles.
Have just received word from Committee: Exercise request has been granted. Patient may leave cell for 10 minutes, no more. Must be escorted at all times by me + 2 guards.
Upon further consid, have made addit petition. Given patient’s extreme sensitivity to light, wd like to schedule exercise for twilight. Am awaiting Committee’s decision.
6 F RUCTIDOR
Request granted. We are now required to have 3 addit escorts.
7 F RUCTIDOR
Prospect of leaving cell did not appear to gladden Charles. Expressed serious doubt at idea. Agreed to join me only after I promised he might return as soon as he liked.
As precaution, I tied linen bandage round eyes. Led him carefully out of cell. Guards followed at 10 ft. We approached stairs— 1st stairs patient has undertaken in 1+ years. He leaned heavily on my arm. Climbing v. hard for him—legs gave way more than once—was breathing v. hard when we reached top of Tower. I sat him down until such time as he cd stand again.
Platform here = gallery , offering views of Temple courtyard + streets outside. We stood there for some time bf Charles, w/o asking leave, removed bandage from eyes in single motion. Stood blinking in dusk. Able to keep eyes open for 5–10 seconds, no more.
Patient’s attention gradually shifted toward sounds. Asked me what bird that was singing? I informed him it was nightingale. Yes, he said. That’s right. One by one, he asked me to identify sounds: water carriers, crossing sweepers, hacks, stagecoaches, fruit carts, etc.
One sound in particular. What’s that? he asked. Whistling , I said. He begged to know who was doing whistling? Grp of children, coming down Blvd du Temple. Describe what they were
“It’s possible,” he answers, shrugging. “The only problem— Doctor —is that everyone who can sort it out for us is dead. And unless you can figure out a way to make the dead speak, I’m afraid I must classify you as an official waste of my time.”
And with that, he loosens his grip on my arm. He nods curtly, bids me good afternoon, and becomes once more that veteran of forgotten wars, marching down the Vieille Estrapade de Fourcy. Only two details mar the illusion: the right foot, dragging ever so slightly after him, more afterthought than wound—and the skewed smile that wrinkles his face as it turns back to me.
“Now might be a good time to get reacquainted with your father. Don’t you think, Hector?”
28 T HERMIDOR Y EAR II
Must speak w/Barras & commissaries re restrictions. Am permitted to see Charles for only 1 hr in early A.M . Guard must be present at all times—confidences of any kind btw patient & me impossible. If I wish to stay longer, I must petition Committee 3 days in advance.
For rest of time, Charles remains utterly alone in cell. No fire, no candle. Only sounds he hears are bolts ; sliding of earthenware plate thru wicket; voices commanding him to go to bed; voices waking him up, periodically, thruout night.
Before incarceration, boy was, by all reports, outgoing, good-natured. 6 mos. of confinement have left him almost entirely w/o affect: eyes languid, expression fixed & disinterested.
Food extremely poor. 2 daily portions of soup, watery, flavorless. Morsels of beef. Loaf of black bread. Pitcher of water. Have explained to Barras that poor diet & long confinement have substantially weakened patient. Have expressed desire to personally escort Charles out of cell for limited exercise. Must await decision of Committee of General Security.
This A.M. , Charles asked why I was taking care of him. Because it is my duty, I said. But I thought you didn’t like me, he said. Quite the contrary, I said.
It’s clear he experiences far greater alarm at kindness than at ill usage. Must learn more about prior treatment.
3 F RUCTIDOR
Progress . Charles able to walk for greater distances w/o support. Still experiences great pain in knees, ankles.
Have just received word from Committee: Exercise request has been granted. Patient may leave cell for 10 minutes, no more. Must be escorted at all times by me + 2 guards.
Upon further consid, have made addit petition. Given patient’s extreme sensitivity to light, wd like to schedule exercise for twilight. Am awaiting Committee’s decision.
6 F RUCTIDOR
Request granted. We are now required to have 3 addit escorts.
7 F RUCTIDOR
Prospect of leaving cell did not appear to gladden Charles. Expressed serious doubt at idea. Agreed to join me only after I promised he might return as soon as he liked.
As precaution, I tied linen bandage round eyes. Led him carefully out of cell. Guards followed at 10 ft. We approached stairs— 1st stairs patient has undertaken in 1+ years. He leaned heavily on my arm. Climbing v. hard for him—legs gave way more than once—was breathing v. hard when we reached top of Tower. I sat him down until such time as he cd stand again.
Platform here = gallery , offering views of Temple courtyard + streets outside. We stood there for some time bf Charles, w/o asking leave, removed bandage from eyes in single motion. Stood blinking in dusk. Able to keep eyes open for 5–10 seconds, no more.
Patient’s attention gradually shifted toward sounds. Asked me what bird that was singing? I informed him it was nightingale. Yes, he said. That’s right. One by one, he asked me to identify sounds: water carriers, crossing sweepers, hacks, stagecoaches, fruit carts, etc.
One sound in particular. What’s that? he asked. Whistling , I said. He begged to know who was doing whistling? Grp of children, coming down Blvd du Temple. Describe what they were
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