centre of the scene.

But in spite of our efforts our work was never finished, for we took
no account of limitations; every day we had new ideas and ever more and
more wonderful projects, and the great comprehensive representation was
deferred from day to day, was postponed to a future that never came.

Every undertaking of my life will be, or has already been, left
unfinished and incomplete as was that little play of the "Donkey's
Skin."




CHAPTER LII.



Among those professors who seemed, during my school-days, so severe, and
indeed almost cruel to me, the most terrible without any exception were
the "Bull of Apis" and the "Big Black Ape" (I had nicknames for all
of them). I hope should they read this they will understand that I am
writing from the child's view-point. Should I meet them to-day I would,
in all probability, humbly tender them my hand and ask their pardon for
having been such an unmanageable pupil.

Oh! the Big Ape especially, how I hated him! When from the height of his
desk these words fell upon my ear: "You will do a hundred lines; I
mean you, you little sap-head!" I could have flown at his face like an
enraged cat. He was the first to arouse in me those sudden and violent