Having arranged for the maintenance of the old mute at an
asylum not far from the city, our preparations to leave were
soon complete. I was elated at the prospect of resuming my
relations with the busy world outside that lonely
habitation. My first step was to visit a lawyer for the
purpose of ascertaining the legal formalities which I must
observe as executor of the will. Rayel wished to go with me,
and I gladly assented, for it seemed wise as an initiatory
step in the new life that was awaiting him. He waved his
hand to the mute, who stood looking at us through the big
gates after we had passed out into the road, and then he
walked on beside me in silence. The sun-shot haze of a
beautiful autumn day hung over the face of nature, and his
eyes wandered down the long stretches of landscape, and into
the depths of the distant sky, rapt by the vision that was
unfolding before him. The changing phases of the town he
regarded with curious interest, which often expressed itself
in childish exclamations of surprise as we made our way
through the crowded streets.

He was constantly calling my attention to things which,
though familiar and commonplace to me, were little less than
wonderful to him.

"Look!" said he, suddenly taking hold of my arm. "There is a
woman!"

He spoke in an eager, excited whisper, and shyly stepped
behind me as she passed us.