A few words were exchanged on the prevailing blight; and then, without further preamble, my visitor said:
“I should like to see some cocoons. I have never seen any; I know them only by name. Could you get me some?”
“Nothing easier. My landlord happens to sell cocoons; and he lives in the next house. If you will wait a moment, I will bring you what you want.” [[245]]
Four steps took me to my neighbour’s, where I crammed my pockets with cocoons. I came back and handed them to the savant. He took one, turned and turned it between his fingers; he examined it curiously, as one would a strange object from the other end of the world. He put it to his ear and shook it:
“Why, it makes a noise!” he said, quite surprised. “There’s something inside!”
“Of course there is.”
“What is it?”
“The chrysalis.”
“How do you mean, the chrysalis?”
“I mean the sort of mummy into which the caterpillar changes before becoming a moth.”