“I don’t say that he is a homely child, if he was I wouldn’t want him. I don’t want a monster.”
“Ah, now if he was a monster with two ears, or even a dwarf…”
“You’d keep him, you could make your fortune out of a monster. But this little boy is not a dwarf, nor a monster, so you can’t exhibit him: he’s made the same as others, and he’s no good for anything.”
“He’s good for work.”
“He’s not strong.”
“Not strong, him! Land’s sakes! He’s as strong as any man, look at his legs, they’re that solid! Have you ever seen straighter legs than his?”
Barberin pulled up my pants.
“Too thin,” said the old man.
“And his arms?” continued Barberin.
“Like his legs… might be better. They can’t hold out against fatigue and poverty.”