Then they would perhaps meet one of Mr. Beeton's friends, and Dick,
standing aside a little, would hold his peace till Mr. Beeton was willing to go
on again.
The life did not increase his self-respect. He abandoned shaving as a dangerous
exercise, and being shaved in a barber's shop meant exposure of his infirmity.
He could not see that his clothes were properly brushed, and since he had never
taken any care of his personal appearance he became every known variety of
sloven. A blind man cannot deal with cleanliness till he has been some months
used to the darkness. If he demand attendance and grow angry at the want of it,
he must assert himself and stand upright. Then the meanest menial can see that
he is blind and, therefore, of no consequence. A wise man will keep his eyes on
the floor and sit still. For amusement he may pick coal lump by lump out of the
scuttle with the tongs and pile it in a little heap in the fender, keeping
count of the lumps, which must all be put back again, one by one and very
carefully. He may set himself sums if he cares to work them out; he may talk to
himself or to the cat if she chooses to visit him; and if his trade has been
that of an artist, he may sketch in the air with his forefinger; but that is
too much like drawing a pig with the eyes shut.
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