to his tenth year; then he recovered, and now he has graduated from
college as senior wrangler."

"Yes," she said. "But Mr. Dumany is impatient, and he has sent the boy
to all the deaf-and-dumb boarding-schools in Europe. Even now we are
coming from such an institution in Italy; but none of all these
different masters has been able to teach more than sign-talk, and that
is insufficient. Mr. Dumany wants to give the German Heinicke method a
trial. That professes to teach real conversation, based on the
observations of the movements of the lips and tongue."

Of this method I also knew examples of success. I was acquainted with a
deaf and dumb type-setter, who had learned to talk intelligibly and
fluently, could read aloud, and take part in conversation, but in a
piping voice like that of a bird.

"Even that would be a great success," she said. "At any rate, little
James will be taken to the Zürich Institute, and remain there until he
acquires his speech."

During this whole conversation the little fellow had sat between us,
mute, and, to all appearance, wholly indifferent. His little pale face
was dull, and his great eyes half closed. I felt sorry for him, and with
a sigh of real compassion I muttered in my own native Hungarian tongue,
"Szegény fincska!" ("Poor little boy!") At this I saw a thrill of
surprise run through the child's little frame; the great blue eyes
opened wide in wonder and delight, and the closed cherry lips opened in
a smile of joy.

I was struck with surprise, and did not believe my own eyes. The lady