there. If I do chance to meet anyone, we glare at each other like two
wild beasts, uncertain whether to attack or to flee from each other.

The forest belongs to me....

The piano is closed. I never use it now. The sound of the wind in the
trees is music enough for me. I rise from my bed and listen until I am
half frozen. I, who was never stirred or pleased by the playing of
virtuosi!

I have no more desires. Past and future both repose beneath a shroud of
soft, mild fog. I am content to live like this. But the least event
indoors wakes me from my lethargy. Yesterday Torp sent for the sweep.
Catching sight of him in my room, I could not repress a scream. I could
not think for the moment what the man could be doing here.

Another time a stray cat took refuge under my table. I was not aware of
it, but no sooner had I sat down than I felt surcharged with
electricity. I rang for Jeanne, and when she came into the room the
creature darted from its hiding-place, and I was panic-stricken.

Jeanne carried it away, but for a long time afterwards I shivered at the
sight of her.

Whence comes this horror of cats? Many people make pets of them.
Personally I should prefer the company of a boa-constrictor.

* * * * *

A man whose vanity I had wounded once took it upon himself to tell me