Instead of again opening his lips, the abbé nodded his head.
Marescot spoke of the Pythia of Delphi.
"Beyond all question, miasmas."
"As for me, I admit the existence of a fluid," remarked Bouvard.
"Nervoso-siderial," added Pécuchet.
"But prove it, show it, this fluid of yours! Besides, fluids are out of fashion. Listen to me."
Vaucorbeil moved further up to get into the shade. The others followed him.
"If you say to a child, 'I am a wolf; I am going to eat you,' he imagines that you are a wolf, and he is frightened. Therefore, this is a vision conjured up by words. In the same way the somnambulist accepts any fancies that you desire him to accept. He recollects instead of imagining, and has merely sensations when he believes that he is thinking. In this manner it is possible for crimes to be suggested, and virtuous people may see themselves ferocious beasts, and involuntarily become cannibals."
Glances were cast towards Bouvard and Pécuchet. Their scientific pursuits were fraught with dangers to society.