Чума
Part IV
Hesteeredamiddlecourse,that’sall,andwasthetypeofpersonforwhomonefeelsareasonabledegreeofaffection,whichendures.
"Yethedidhaveonepeculiarity:hisbedsidebookwasthelargeChaixrailwaytimetable.Notthathetravelled,exceptonholiday,togotoBrittanywherehehadasmallhouse.ButhecouldtellyoupreciselythearrivalanddeparturetimesoftheParis—Berlinexpress,theconnectingtrainsthatyouhadtocatchtogetfromLyontoWarsawandtheprecisenumberofrailwaymilesbetweenanytwocapitalcitiesyouchosetomention.CanyoutellmehowtogofromBriançontoChamonix?Evenastation-masterwouldfinditconfusing.Myfatherdidn’t.Hewouldpractisealmosteveryeveningtoimprovehisknowledgeofthesubjectandwasquiteproudofit.ItgreatlyamusedmeandIoftenputquestionstohim,delightedtocheckhisanswersintheChaixandacknowledgethathehadnotmadeamistake.Theselittleexerciseshelpedtobringuscloser,becauseIprovidedhimwithanaudiencewhosegoodwillheappreciated.Asforme,Iconsideredthatthissuperiorknowledgeinthematterofrailwayswasasgoodasanyother.
"ButIamallowingmyselftobecarriedaway,andmaygivetoomuchimportancetothisgoodgentleman,becausewhenitcamedowntoit,hehadonlyanindirectinfluenceinhelpingmetomakeupmymind.Attheverymost,heprovidedmewithanopportunity.WhenIwasseventeenmyfatherinvitedmetogoandlistentohimatwork.
