Farewell forever, O mother nature! Henceforth I must wander among men! I must combat with my brethren!
A chamber. The Man. George. A Physician.
The Man. No one has as yet been of the least service to him; my last hopes are placed in you.
Physician. You do me much honor.
The Man. Tell me your opinion of the case.
George. I can neither see you, my father, nor the gentleman to whom you speak. Dark or black webs float before my eyes, and again something like a snake seems to crawl across them. Sometimes a golden cloud stands before them, flies up, and then falls down upon them, and a rainbow springs out of it; but there is no pain—they never hurt me—I do not suffer, father.
Physician. Come here, George, in the shade. How old are you?
He looks steadily into the eyes of the boy.
The Man. He is fourteen years old.