INTRODUCTION and CHAPTER ONE of NOBODY'S BOY This is the LibreVox Recording. All LibreVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibreVox.org. Recording by Ellie. NOBODY'S BOY by Ektomaloo, translated by Florence Grouchons. INTRODUCTION NOBODY'S BOY, published in France under the title Sofamille, has become justly famous as one of the supreme juvenile stories of the world. In the midst of its early popularity, it was crowned by the Academy as one of the masterpieces of French literature. A few years later, it was followed by Enfamille, which is published by us as a companion story under the title NOBODY'S GIRL. NOBODY'S BOY is a human document of child experiences that is fascinating reading for young and old. Parents, teachers and others, who are careful to have children read inspiring books, will welcome this beautiful story of Ektomaloo as among the best of them to recommend. Such discretions in the original as to not belong to the heart of the story have been eliminated, so that the lost boys' experiences continue as the undisturbed interest, on through to the happy conclusion. Loyal friendship and honest conduct are the vital ideals of the story and the heart interest is eloquent with noble character. THE PUBLISHERS CHAPTER ONE My Village Home I was a foundling, but until I was eight years of age I saw the head of mother like other children, for when I cried a woman held me tightly in her arms and rocked me gently until my tears stopped falling and never got into bed without her coming to kiss me. And when the December winds blew the icy snow against the windowpains, she would take my feet between her hands and warm them while she sang to me. Even now I can remember the song she used to sing. If a storm came on while I was out mining our cow, she would run down the lane to meet me and cover my head and shoulders with her cotton skirt so that I should not get wet. I had a quarrel with one of the village boys. She made me tell her all about it and she would talk kindly to me when I was wrong and praise me when I was in the right. By these and many other things, by the way she spoke to me and looked at me and the gentle way she scolded me, I believed that she was my mother. My village ought to be more exact, the village where I was brought up for I did not have a village of my own, nor birthplace, any more than I had a father or mother. The village where I spent my childhood was called Gévanon. It is one of the poorest in France. Only sections of the land could be cultivated, for the great stretch of moors was covered with heather and prune. We lived in a little house down by the brook. Until I was eight years of age I never had seen a man in our house, yet my adopted mother was not the widow. But her husband, who was a stone cutter, worked in Paris and he had not been back to the village since I was of an age to notice what was going on around me. Occasionally he sent news by some companion who returned to the village, for there were many of the peasants who were employed as stone cutters in the city. Mother Barbara, the man would say, your husband is quite well and he told me to tell you that he is still working and to give you this money. Will you count it? That was all. Mother Barbara was satisfied. Her husband was well and he had work. Because Barbara was away from home it must not be thought that he was not on good terms with his wife. He stayed in Paris because his work kept him there. When he was old he would come back and live with his wife on the money that he had saved. One November evening a man stopped at our gate. I was standing on the doorstep breaking sticks. He looked over the top bar of the gate and called to me to know if Mother Barbara lived there. I shouted yes and told him to come in. He pushed open the old gate and came slowly up to the house.  He was covered with mud from head to foot. It was easy to see that he had come a distance on bedroads upon hearing our voices Mother Barbara ran out. I brought some news from Paris, said the man. Something in the man's tone alarmed Mother Barbara. Oh dear, she cried, ringing her hands. Something has happened to her home. Yes, there is, but don't get scared. He has been hurt, but he ain't dead, but maybe he'll be deformed. I used to share a room with him and as I was coming back home he asked me to give you the message. I can't stop as I've got several miles to go and it is getting late. But Mother Barbara wanted to know more and she begged him to stay to supper. The roads were so bad and they did say that wolves had been seen on the outskirts of the wood. He could go early in the morning, wouldn't he stay? Yes he would. He sat down by the corner of the fire and while eating his supper told us how the accident had occurred.  Poor Barbara said the man as he dried the legs of his trousers which were now quite stiff under the coating of mud. He's got no luck, no luck.  No luck. He said again in such a sympathetic tone which showed plainly that he for one would willingly have to live half crushed out of his body if he could get the pension as I tell him he ought to sue the builder. A lawsuit exclaimed Mother Barbara that cost a lot of money. Yes, but if you win? Mother Barbara wanted to start off the Paris. Only it was such a terribly fair. The journey was so long it cost so much. The next morning we went into the village and consulted the priest. He advised her not to go without first finding out if she could be of any use. He wrote to the hospital where they had taken Barbara and a few days later he received a reply saying that Barbara's wife was not to go but that she should send a certain sum of money to her husband because he was going to sue the builder upon whose works he had met with the accident. Days and weeks passed and from time to time letters came asking for more money. The last, more insistent than the previous ones, said that if there was no more money the cow must be sold to procure the sum. Only those who have lived in the country with the peasants know what distress there is in these three words, sell the cow. As long as they have the cow in their shed they know that they will not suffer from hunger. They got butter from ours to put in the soup to moisten the potatoes. We lived so well from ours that until the time of which a bride had hardly ever tasted meat but our cow not only gave us nourishment, she was our friend.  It is not so. A cow is most intelligent. When we spoke to ours and stroked her and kissed her she understood us and with her big round eyes which looked so soft she knew well enough how to make us know what she wanted and what she did not want. In fact she loved us and we loved her and that is all there is to say. However we had to part with her for it was only by the sale of the cow that Barbara's husband would be satisfied. A cattle dealer came to our house and after sorely examining Rosette all the time shaking his head and saying that she would not suit him at all could never sell her again. She had no milk, she made bed butter. He ended by saying that he would take her but only out of kindness because mother Barbara was an honest good woman. Poor Rosette, as though she knew what was happening refused to come out of the barn and began to bellow. Going at the back of her and chase her out the man said to me, holding out the whip which she had carried hanging around his neck No, that he won't, cried the mother. Taking poor Rosette by the loins she spoke softly to her. They are my beauty come, come along then. Rosette could not resist her and then when she got to the road the man tied her up behind his cart and his horse trotted off and she had to follow. He went back to the house but for a long time we could hear her bellowing. No more milk, no butter. In the morning a piece of bread at night some potatoes were sold. Shroft Tuesday happened to be a few days later after we had sold the cow. The year before mother Barbara had made a feast for me with pancakes and apple fritters and I had eaten so many that she had beamed but now we had no Rosette to give us milk or butter. So there would be no Shroft Tuesday. I said to myself sadly but mother Barbara had a surprise for me. Although she was not in the habit of borrowing she had asked for a cup of milk from one of the neighbors a piece of butter from another and when I got home about midday she was emptying the flour into big earthenware bowl. Oh, I said, going up to her, flour? Why yes, she said smiling. It's flour, my little Remy beautiful flour. See what lovely flakes it makes. Just because I was so anxious to know what the flour was for, I did not dare ask and besides I did not want to know that I remembered that it was Shroft Tuesday for fear she might feel unhappy. What does one make with flour? She asked smiling at me. Bread? What else? Pep? And what else? Why I don't know.  You know that today is pancake day and because you think we haven't any butter and milk you don't dare speak. Is that so, eh? Oh mother, I didn't mean that pancake day should be so bad after all for my little Remy look in that bin. I lifted up the lid quickly and saw some milk butter eggs and three apples. Give me the eggs, she said. While I break them you peel the apples. While I cut the apples in slices she broke the eggs into the flour and began to beat the mixture adding little milk from time to time. When the paste was well beaten she placed a big earthenware bowl on the warm cinders. For it was not until supper time that you would have the pancakes and fritters. I must say frankly that it was a very long day. More than once I lifted up the glass that she had thrown over the bowl. You will make the paste cold, she cried, and it won't rise well. But it was rising well little bubbles were coming up on the top and the eggs and milk were beginning to smell good. Go and chop some wood, said Mother Barbara. We need a good clear fire. At last the candle was lit. Put the wood on the fire. She did not have to say this twice. I have been waiting impatiently to hear these words.  Then Mother Barbara took down the frying pan from its hook and placed it on the fire. Give me the butter. Under her knife she slipped the piece slouching the nut into the pan where it melted and splattered. It was a long time since we had smelt it odor. I was listening to the fishing when I heard footsteps in our yard. Whoever could be coming to disturb us at this hour. A neighbor perhaps to ask for some firewood? I couldn't think. For just a dead moment Mother Barbara put the big wooden spoon into the bowl and was pouring a spoon full of the paste into the pan and it was not the moment that I was wondering. Somebody knocked on the door with a stick then it was flung open. Who is there? Asked Mother Barbara without turning around. A man came in. By the bright flame which lit him up could see that he carried a big stick in his hand. So you are having a feast here. Don't disturb yourselves. He said roughly. Oh Lord! cried Mother Barbara. Putting the frying pan quickly on the floor. It's huge aroma. Here's your father. End of chapter 1 Recording by Ellie September 2009 Chapter 2 of Nobody's Boy This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Ellie Nobody's Boy by Ekta Malo Translated by Florence Crouchhorns Chapter 2 My adopted father. Mother Barbara kissed her husband. I was about to do the same when he put on the stick and stopped me. What is this? You told me. Well yes, but it isn't true. Because... Ah! It isn't true, eh? He stepped towards me with his stick raised. Instinctively I shrunk back. What had I done? Nothing wrong surely. I was only going to kiss him. I looked at him timidly. Speaking to Mother Barbara. So you are keeping Shroff Tuesday. He said, I am glad for him famished. What do you got for supper? I was making some pancakes and apple fritters. So I see, but you are not going to give pancakes to a man who has covered the miles that I have. I haven't anything else. You see, we didn't expect you. What? Nothing else? Nothing for supper? Glanced around the kitchen. There is some butter. I looked up at the ceiling at the spot where the bacon used to hang, but for a long time there had been nothing on the hook. Only a few ropes of onions and garlic hung from the beam now. Here is some onions, he said.  This four or five onions and a piece of butter will have a good soup. Take out the pancakes and fry the onions in the pan. Take the pancakes out of the frying pan. Without the word, Mother Barbara hurried to do what her husband asked. He sat down on a chair by the corner of the fireplace. I had not dared to leave the place where his stick had sent me, leaning against the table I looked at him. He was a man about fifty, with a hard face and a rough face. His head leaned a little towards his right shoulder on account of the wound he had received and this deformity gave him a still more forbidding aspect. Mother Barbara had put the frying pan again on the fire. Is it with a little bit of butter like that, you are going to try and make a soup? There upon he sees the blade of butter and threw it all into the pan. No more butter, then no more pancakes. At any other moment I should have been greatly upset at this catastrophe, but I was not thinking of pancakes and fry it as now. The thought that was upmost in my mind was that this man who seemed so cruel was my father, my father. Absently I said the word over and over again to myself. I had never thought much what the father would be. Waitly I had imagined to be a sort of a mother with a big voice, but then looking at this man who had fallen from heaven I felt greatly worried and frightened.  Why?  Instead of standing there I stole your maid of thought. He said put the plates on the table. I nearly fell down in my haste to obey. The soup was made. My father served it on plates.  I felt so uncomfortable that I could not eat. I looked at him also, but out of the corner of my eye then I turned my head quickly when I caught his eye. Doesn't he eat more than that usually? He asked suddenly. Oh yes, he's got a good appetite. That's a pity. He doesn't seem to want his supper now though. My mother Barbara did not seem to want to talk. She went two and four waiting on her husband. Ain't you hungry? No. Well then go to bed and go to sleep at once. If you don't, I'll be angry. My mother gave me a look which told me to obey without answering but there was no occasion for this one. I had no thought of saying a word. As in the great many poor homes our kitchen was also the bedroom near the fireplace where all the things for the meals the table, the pots and pans and the sideboard. On the other end was the bedroom. In the corners of mother Barbara's big bed in the opposite corner in a little air-cove was my bed under a red-figured curtain. I hurriedly addressed and got into bed but to go to sleep was another thing. I was terribly worried and very unhappy. How could this man be my father and if he was, why did he treat me so badly? With my nose flattened against the wall I tried to drive these sorts of way and go to sleep as he had ordered me but it was impossible. Sleep would not come. I had never felt so wide awake. After a time I could not see how long I heard someone coming over to my bed. The slow step was heavy and dragged so I knew at once that it was not mother Barbara. I felt a warm breath on my cheek. I heard a sleep. This was said in a harsh whisper. I took care not to answer for the terrible words I would be angry still rang in my ears. I went to sleep said mother Barbara. The moment he gets into bed he drops off. You can talk without being afraid that you'll hear. I heard of course have told him that there was not a sleep but I did not dare. I had been ordered to go to sleep and there was not yet a sleep so I was in the wrong. Well, what about your lawsuit? I asked mother Barbara. Lost it. The judge said that there was to blame for being under the scaffold. Thereupon he banked his fist on the table without saying anything that meant anything. Case lost. He went on after a moment. Money lost. All gone. Poverty staring us in the face. And I stole that isn't enough when I get back here I find a child. Why didn't you do what I told you to do? Because I couldn't. You could not take him to a fondling's home? A woman can't give up a little might like that if she's fed it with her own milk and gone to laugh it. It's not your child. Well, I wanted to do what you told me but just at that moment he fell ill. Ill? Yes, then I couldn't take him to the place he might have died. But when he got better? Well, didn't get better all at once. After that sickness came another. He coughed so it would have made your heart bleed to hear him.  Our little Nicholas died like that. It seemed to me that if I sent him to the fondling's home he'd die also. But after, after Well, time went on and I thought that as I'd put off going I'd put it off a bit longer. How old is he now? Eight.  He won't like it so well now. Oh, Sharon, you can't. You won't do that. Won't I? And who is going to stop me? Do you think we can keep him always? There was a moment's silence. I was hardly able to breathe. The lamp in my throat nearly choked me. After a time Mother Barbara went on. How Paris has changed you? You wouldn't have spoken like that to me before you went away. Perhaps not. But if Paris has changed me it's also pretty nearly killed me. I can't work now. We've got no money. The cows sold. When we haven't enough to feed ourselves have you got to feed a child that don't belong to us? He's mine. He's no more yours than mine. Besides he ain't the country boy.  He's a delicate morsel. No arms no legs. He's the prettiest boy in the village. I don't say he ain't pretty. But sturdy? No. Do you think you can make a working man out of a cheat with no shoulders like this? He's a city child and there's no place for city children here. I tell you he's a fine boy and is intelligent and cute as a little cat and he's got a good heart and he'll work for us. In the meantime we've got to work for him and I'm no good for much now. If his parents claim him what will you say? His parents? Has he got any parents? They would have found him by now if he had. It was a crazy thing for me to think that his parents would come and claim him someday and pay us for his keep. I was a fool cause he was wrapped up in fine clothes, trimmed with lace. That wasn't to say his parents were going to hunt for him besides their dad. Perhaps they are not and one day they may come. If you women ain't obstinate. But if they do come well we've sent him to the home but we've said enough. I'll take him tomorrow. I'm going round to see François now. I'll be back in an hour. The door was opened and closed again. He had gone. Then he quickly set up in bed and began to call to mother Barbara. Say, mama? She ran over to my bed. Are you going to let me go to the fondling's home? No, my little Remy. I felt better after that and my tears dried on my cheeks. You didn't go to sleep then? She asked softly. It isn't my fault. I'm not scolding you. You heard what he said? Yes, you're not my mama. But he isn't my father. The last words I said in a different tone because although I was unhappy at learning that she was not my mother I was glad. I was almost proud to know that he was not my father. This contradiction of my feelings left him a voice. Mother Barbara did not appear to know this. Perhaps I ought to have told you the truth but you seemed so very much my own boy that I couldn't tell you. I was not your real mother. You heard what Jerome said, my boy. He found you one day in a street in Paris at the avenue de Bouteuil. It was in February early in the morning. He was going to work when you heard a baby cry and he found you on a step. He looked about to call someone and they seated so and made him out You cried so loud that Jerome didn't like to put you back on the step again. While he was wondering what to do some more men came along and they all decided that they take you to the police station. You wouldn't stop crying. Poor might, you must have been cold. But then when they got you warm at the station house you still cried so they thought you were hungry and they got you some milk. My, you were hungry. When you'd had enough they undressed you and held you before the fire. They all dressed in lovely clothes. The lieutenant wrote down a description of the clothes and where you were found and said that you should have to send you to the home unless one of the men liked to take charge of you. Such a beautiful fine child it wouldn't be difficult to bring up with that and the parents would surely make a search for it and pay anyone well for looking after it. So Jerome said he'd take it. Just at that time I had a baby the same age so I was well able to feed both your might. Dear dearie, that was how I came to be your mother. Oh mama, mama. Yes dearie, dear. And at the end of three months I lost my own little baby. Then I got even more fond of you. It was such a beautiful room couldn't forget and seeing at the end of three years that your parents hadn't come after you they tried to make me send you to the home. You heard why it didn't do as you told me. Oh, don't send me to the home. I cried clinging to her. Mother Barbara, please, please don't send me to the home. No dearie, no. You shan't go. I'll settle it. Jerome is not really unkind, you'll see. He's had a lot of trouble and he's kind of worried about the future. We'll all work and you shall work too. Yes, yes. I'll do anything you want me to do. But don't send me to the home. You shan't go. That is if you promise to go to sleep at once when he returns I mustn't find you awake.  I wanted to go to sleep but I had received a hearty blow to slip off quietly into slumberland. Dear good mother Barbara was not my own mother. Then what was a real mother? Something better? Something sweeter still? It wasn't possible. Then I thought that the real father might not have held up his stick to me. He wanted to send me to the home and mother be able to prevent him. In the village there were two children from the home. They were cold workers' children. They had a metal plaque around their necks with a number on it. They were badly dressed and so dirty. All the other children made fun of them and threw stones at them.  Oh, I didn't want to be like those children. I did not want to have a number hung around my neck. I did not want them to call after me. High workers' kid. High fondling. The very sort of it made me feel cold I could not go to sleep and Barbara was coming back soon but fortunately he did not return until very late and sleep came before he arrived. End of Chapter 2 Recording by Ellie September 2009 Chapter 3 of Nobody's Boy This is a LibreVox recording. Only Prevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibreVox.org Recording by Ellie Nobody's Boy by Ectoma Law translated by Florence Crude Jones Chapter 3 Senior Vitaly's Company That night I dreamed that I had been taken to the home when I opened my eyes in the early morning I could scarcely believe that I was still there my little bed. I felt the bed and pinched my arms to see if it was true. Ah, yes, I was still with Mother Barbara. She said nothing to me all the morning and I began to think that they had given up the idea of sending me away. Perhaps she had said that she was determined to keep me, but when midday came Barbara told me to put on my cap and follow him. I looked at Mother Barbara to implore her to help me. Without her husband noticing she made me a sign to go with him. I obeyed. She tapped me on the shoulder as a pastor to let me know that I had nothing to fear. Without the word I followed him. There was some distance from our house to the village. A good hour's walk Barbara never said a word to me the whole way. He walked along limping. Now and again he turned round to see if I was following. Where was he taking me? I asked myself the question again and again. Despite the reassuring sign that Mother Barbara had made I felt that something was going to happen to me and they wanted to run away. I tried to leg behind, thinking that they would jump down into a ditch but Barbara could not catch me. At first he had seemed satisfied that I should try and belong just behind him on his heels. But he evidently soon began to suspect what I intended to do and he grabbed me by the wrist. I was forced to keep up with him. This was the way we entered the village. Everyone who passed us turned round to stare for I looked like a bad dog held on a leash. As we were about to pass the tavern a man who was standing in the doorway called to Barbara and asked him to go in. Barbara took me by the ear and pushed me in before him and when we got inside he closed the door. I felt relieved. This was only the village tavern and for a long time I had wanted to see what it was like inside. I had often wondered what was going on behind the red curtains. I was going to know now. Barbara sat down at the table with the boss who had asked him to go in. I sat by the fireplace. In a corner near me there was a tall old man with a long white beard. He wore a strange costume. I had never seen anything like it before. Long ringlet fell to his shoulders and he wore a tall gray hat ornamented with red and green feathers. A sheepskin, the woolly side turned inside, was fastened around his body. There were no sleeves to the skin but so two large holes cupping his shoulders his arms was rust covered his velvet sleeves which had once been blue in color.  He sat with his elbow resting on his crossed knees. I had never seen a living person in such a quiet calm attitude. He looked to me like one of the saints in our church.  The white spaniel was a policeman's old helmet with a leather strap. While I stared at the man in wonder Barbara in the owner of the tavern talked in low voices and knew that there was the subject of their talk. Barbara was telling him that he had brought me to the village to take me to the mayor's office so that the mayor should ask the charity home to pay for my keep. That was all that dear mother Barbara had been able to do but I felt that if Barbara could get something for keeping me I had nothing to fear. My hearing had evidently been listening suddenly pointed to me and turning to Barbara as sad with a marked foreign accent. Is that the child that's in your way? That's him. And you think the home is going to pay for his keep? Lord, as the aunt got no parents and I've been put to great expense for him it is only right that the town should pay me something. I don't say it isn't but do you think that just because something is right, it's done? That no. Well then, I don't think you'll ever get what you are after. Then he goes to the home there's no lord that forces me to keep him in a place if I don't want to. You agreed in the beginning to take him so it's up to you to keep your promise. Well, I ain't going to keep him and when I want to turn him out I'll do so. Perhaps there's a way to get rid of him now set the old man after a moment's thought and make a little money into the bargain. If you'll show me how I'll stand and drink. Order the drinks, the affair settled. Sure? Sure, the old man got up and took a seat opposite Barbara a strange thing as he rose and saw his sheepskin move. It was lifted up and I wondered if he had an other dog under his arm. What were they going to do with me? My heart beat against my side I could not take my eyes off the old man. You won't let this child eat any more of your bread unless somebody pays for it. That's it, isn't it? That's it, because never mind the reason. Don't concern me. Now if you don't want him, just give him to me. I'll take charge of him. You take charge of him? You want to get rid of him, don't you? Give you a child like him a beautiful boy for he is beautiful the prettiest boy in the village look at him. I have looked at him. Remy, come here. The knee is trembling. There, don't be afraid little one, said the old man. Just look at him, said Barbara again. I don't say that he's a homely child if he was, I wouldn't want him I don't want the 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 not a monster, so you can't exhibit him he's made the same as others for anything. He's good for work. He's not strong. Not strong? He's as strong as any man.  Have you ever seen straighter legs than his? Barbara pulled up my pants. Too thin, said the old man. And his arms, continue Barbara. Like his legs might be better. They can't hold out against fatigued poverty. What? Fill him, just see for yourself. The old man passed his skinny hand over my legs and felt him shaking his head the while and making a grimace. I had already seen a similar scene enacted when the cattle dealer came to buy our cow he had also felt and pinched the cow he had also shaken his head and said that the cow was not good that it was impossible to sell it again yet after all he had bought it and taken it away with him. Was the old man going to buy me and take me away with him?  If I had dared I would have said that only the night before Barbara had reproached me for seeming delicate and having seen arms and legs. But they felt that I should gain nothing by it but an angry word so I kept silent. For a long time they wiggled over my good and bad points. Well, such as he is, said the old man at last. I'll take him, but mind you I don't buy him outright. I will hire him. I will give you 24 a year for him. 24? That's a good sum and I'll pay you in advance. But if I keep him the town will pay me more than 10 for a month. I know what you'd get from the town and besides you've got to feed him. He will work. If you thought that he could work he wouldn't be so anxious to get rid of him. It is not for the money that's paid for their keep that you people take in lost children it's for the work that you can get out of them you make servants of them pay you and they themselves get no wages. If this child could have done much for you you would have kept him. Anyway, I should always have 10 for a month. And if the home instead of letting you have him gave him to someone else you wouldn't get anything at all.   He pulled a letter purse from his pocket counting out for silver pieces of money. He threw them on the table making them ring as they fell. But think, this child's parents will show up one day or the other. What does it matter? Well, those who've brought him up will get something. If I hadn't thought of that I wouldn't have taken him in in the first place. Oh, the wicked man how I did this like Barbara. Now look there it's because you think his parents won't show up that you are turning him out, said the old man. Well, if by any chance they do appear they'll go straight to you, not to me for nobody knows me. But if it's you who finds them well in that case we'll go shares and I'll put 30 down for him now. Make it 40. No, for what he'll do for me that isn't possible. What do you want him to do for you? For good legs he's got good legs. For good arms he's got good arms. I hold to what they said before what are you going to do with him? The old man looked at Barbara mockingly then emptied his glass slowly. He's just to keep me company. I'm getting old and at night I get a bit lonesome and when one is tired it's nice to have a child around. Well, for that I'm sure his legs are strong enough. Oh, not too much so. For he must also dance and jump and walk and then walk and jump again. He'll take his place in St. Yovitalis traveling company. Where's this company? I'm St. Yovitalis and I'll show you the company right here. With this he opened the sheepskin and took out a strange animal and held on his left arm right against his chest. This was the animal that had several times raised the sheepskin but it was not a little dog as I had thought. I found no name to give to this strange creature which I saw for the first time. I looked at it in astonishment. It was dressed in a red coat trimmed its gold braid but his arms and legs were bare for they really were arms and legs and no paws but they were covered with a black hairy skin. They were not white or pink. The white which was as large as the clenched fist was wide and short. The turned up nose had spreading nostrils and their lips were yellow but what struck me more than anything were the two eyes close to each other which glittered like glass.  A monkey? I opened my eyes still wider so this was a monkey for although I had never seen a monkey I had heard of them.  This is the star of my company set Senua Vitalis. This is Mr. Pretty Hard. Now Pretty Hard turning to the animal make your bow to the society.   The next senior copy will have the honor of introducing his friends to the esteemed company he present. The Spaniel who up till this moment had not made a movement jumped up quickly and standing on his hind paws crossed his forepaws on his chest and bowed to his master so low that his police helmet touched the ground. This polite duty accomplished he turned to his companions and with one paw still pressed on his chest he made a sign Mr. Harder for them to drown nearer. The two dogs whose eyes had been fixed on the white Spaniel got up at once and giving each one of us his paw shook hands as one does in polite society and the other steps back bowed to us in turn. The one I call copy said Senua Vitalis which is the abbreviation of Capitano in Italian is the chief. He is the most intelligent and he conveys my orders to the others. The black haired young Dendi is Senua Sabino which signifies the sport. Notice him and I am sure you will admit that the name is very appropriate and that young person with the modest ear is Miss Dalci. She is English and her name is chosen account for this position. With these remarkable artists I travel through the country earning my living, sometimes good sometimes bad. It is a matter of luck. Copy? The Spaniel crossed his paws. Copy? Come here and be on your best behaviour. These people are well brought up and they must be spoken to with great politeness. Be good enough to tell this little boy who is looking at you with such big brown eyes what the time is. Copy on crossed his paws went up to his master who is side the sheepskin and after feeling in his vest pocket pulled out a large silver watch. He looked at the watch for a moment then gave two distinct bags then after these two decisive sharp bags he added three little bags not so loud and not so clear. The hour was quarter to three. Very good, said Vitalis. Thank you, Senua Copy. Now ask Miss Dalci to oblige us by dancing with the skipping rope. Copy again felled in his master's and pulled out the cord. He made a brief sign to Serbino who immediately took his position opposite him. Then Copy threw him one end of the cord and the bows began to turn it very gravely. Then Dulce jumped lightly into the rope and with her beautiful soft eyes fixed on her master began to skip. You see how intelligent they are, said Vitalis. Their intelligence would be even more appreciated if I drew comparisons. For instance, if I had a fool to act with them. That is why I want your boy.   Interrupt the barbarer. It takes a clever man to play the fool that Vitalis, the boy, will be able to act a part with a few lessons. We will test him at once. If he has any intelligence he will understand that with me he will be able to see the country and other countries besides. But if he stays here all he can do is to settle in the same fields from morning to night. If he has any intelligence he will grind stamp his feet and then I won't take him with me and he will be sent to a foundling's home where he will have to work hard and have little to eat. I had enough intelligence to know this. The dogs were very funny and it would be fun to be with them always. But mother, mother Barbara I could not leave her. Then if I refused perhaps I was very unhappy and as my eyes filled with tears senior Vitalis tapped me gently on the cheek. Ah, the little chap understands because he does not make a great noise. He is argumenting the matter in his little head in tomorrow.  I could not say more for Crabbys loud barking interrupted me. At the same moment the dogs spring towards the table upon which pretty hard was seated the monkey, profiting by the moment when everyone was occupied with me had quickly seized his master's class which was full of fine and was about to empty it. But Crabbys was a good watchdog and had seen the monkey's trick and like the faceful servant that he was he had fooled him. Mr. Pretty Hard said Vitalis severely you are a glutton and a thief go over there into the corner and turn your face to the wall and you Sabino, keep guard and slap.  The monkey uttering his lostifal cries obeyed and went into the corner and the dog, proud and happy held out his paw to his master. Now Vitalis continued back to business, I'll give you thirty-four for him then. No, forty. Discussion commenced but Vitalis soon stopped by saying this doesn't interest the child let him go outside and play at the same time he made a sign to Barbara. Yes, go out into the yard at the back but don't move or you'll have me to reckon with. I could not but obey, I went into the yard but I had no help to play I sat down on a big stone and waited they were deciding what was to become of me, what would it be they talked for a long time I was waiting and it was an hour later when Barbara came out into the yard he was alone had he come to fetch me to help me go to Vitalis? Come, he said, back home Home? Then it was not to leave mother Barbara I wanted to ask the question but I was afraid because he seemed in a very bad temper we walked all the way home in silence but just before we arrived home Barbara was walking her head stopped you know, he said taking me roughly by the ear if you say one single word of what you have heard today you shall smart for it understand? End of Chapter 3 Recording by Ellie, September 2009 Chapter 4 of Nobody's Boy This is a LibriVox recording Only LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Ellie Nobody's Boy by Ektoma Law Translated by Florence Crue Jones Chapter 4 The Maternal House I asked mother Barbara when we entered what did the mayor say? We didn't see him How? You didn't see him? No, I met some friends at the Notre Dame café and when we came out it was too late we will go back tomorrow so Barbara had given up the idea of driving a bargain with the men with the dogs and the way home I wondered if this was not some trick of his returning to the house but his last words drove all my doubts away as we had to go back to the village and the mayor it was certain that Barbara had not accepted to tell his terms but in spite of his threats I would have spoken of my fears to mother Barbara if I could have found myself alone with her for a moment but all the evening Barbara did not leave the house and I went to bed without getting the opportunity I went to sleep thinking that I would tell her the next day but the next day when I got up I did not see her as I was running all around the house looking for her Barbara saw me that I wanted mama she has gone to the village and won't be back till this afternoon she had not told me the night before that she was going to the village and without knowing why I began to feel anxious why didn't she wait for us if we were going in the afternoon would she be back before we started without quite knowing why I began to feel very frightened and Barbara looked at me in a way that did not tend to reassure me to escape from his look and run into the garden a great deal to us in it we grew almost all we ate potatoes, cabbages, carrots, turnips there was no ground wasted yet mother Barbara had given me a little patch all to myself in which I planted ferns and herbs that I pulled up in the lanes while I was mining the cow I had planted everything palmer one beside the other in my bit of garden it was not beautiful but I laughed it it was mine, I arranged it as a wish just as I felt at the time and when I spoke of it, which happened 20 times a day it was my garden all hide in the junkwells were in bad and the lilac was beginning to shoot and the wall flowers would zoom me out how would they bloom I wondered and that was why I came to see them every day but there was another part of my garden that I started with great anxiety I planted a vegetable that someone had given to me which was almost unknown in our village it was Jerusalem artichokes I was told it would be delicious better than potatoes for they had the taste of French artichokes potatoes and turnips combined having been told this I intended them to be a surprise for mother Barbara I had no priest a word about this present I had for her I planted them in my own bit of garden when they began to shoot I would let her think they were flowers then one fine day when they were ripe when she was out I would pull them up and cook them myself how? I was not quite sure but I did not worry over such a small detail then when she would turn to supper I would serve a dish of Jerusalem artichokes it would be something fresh to replace those everlasting potatoes Mother Barbara would not suffer too much from the seal of porouset the inventor of this new dish of vegetable was I, Remy I was the one so I was of some use in the house with such a plan in my head I had to be so carefully tensioned on my Jerusalem artichokes at the spot where I planted them it seemed to me that they would never grow I was kneeling on both knees on the ground supported on my hands with my nose almost touching the earth where the artichokes were sewn and I heard Barbara calling me impatiently I hurried back to the house imagine my surprise when I saw standing before the fireplace with Thales and his dogs I knew at once what Barbara wanted of me with Thales had come to fetch me and it was so that mother Barbara had brought me from going the Barbara had sent her to the village knowing full well they could expect nothing from Barbara and ran up to Thales oh don't take me away please sir, don't take me away I began to sob now little chap if I kindly enough you won't be unhappy with me I don't whip children and you'll have the dogs for company why should you be sorry to go with me making by the ear go with this gentleman or go to the workhouse no, no, mama so you're going to make me mad eh? cried Barbara I'll beat you good and hard and chase you out of the house the child is sorry to leave his mama don't beat him for that he's got feelings, that's a good sign if you pity him he'll cry all the more well, now to business saying that with Thales laid on the table which Barbara with the sweep of his hand cleared up and thrust into his pocket where's his bundle, asked to Thales here it is, said Barbara handing him a blue cotton handkerchief tied up at the four corners there are two shirts and a pair of cotton pants that was not what was agreed you said you give him some clothes these are only rags he ain't got no more if I ask the boy I know he'll say that's not true it's not time to argue the matter we must be off, come on my little fellow what's your name? Romy? well then Romy take your bundle and walk along beside Cappy I held up both hands to him and then to Barbara but both men turned away their heads then with Thales took him by the wrist I had to go oh, oh poor little house it seemed to me when I passed over the threshold that I left a bit of my body there is my eyes full of tears there was no one near to help me no one on the road and no one on the field close by I began to call mama, mother Barbara but no one replied to my call and my voice reeled off into a sob I had to follow with Thales who had not let go of my wrist goodbye and good luck, cried Barbara and then he entered the house it was over come Romy, hurry along my child said with Thales he took hold of my arm he did not walk fast I think he's used this step to mine we were walking uphill as I turned I could see mother Barbara's house but it was getting smaller and smaller many a time I had walked this road and I knew that for a little while longer I should see the house then when you turned the bend I should see it no more before me the unknown behind me was the house where until that day I had lived such a happy life perhaps I should never see it again fortunately the hill was long but at last we reached the top with Thales had not let go of his hold will you let me rest a bit I asked surely my boy, he replied he let go of me but I saw him make a sign to Cappy and the dog understood he came close to me I knew that Cappy would grab me by the leg if I attempted to escape I went up a grassy mountain sat down, the dog beside me his tear dimmed eyes I looked about for mother Barbara's cottage the valley and the wood and the way in the distance to the little house I had left little paths of yellow smoke were coming out of the chimney going straight up in the sky and then on towards us in spite of the distance and the height I could see everything very clearly on the rubbish heap I could see a big fat hen running about but she did not look as big as usual if I had not known it was our hen I should have taken her for a little pigeon at the side of the house I could see that the used to ride as a horse in the stream I could just make out the train but the head had so much trouble in digging so that it would work more made by my own hands the wheel less had never turned despite all the hours I had spent upon it I could see my garden or my dear garden who would see my flowers bloom in my Jerusalem-arty shocks who would tend them, Barbara perhaps that wicked Barbara was the next step my garden would be hidden from me suddenly on the road which led to our house from the village I saw a white sun bonnet then it disappeared behind some trees then it came in few again the distance was so great that I could only see the white top like a spring butterfly it was going in and out amongst the trees but there is a time when the heart sees better and farther than the sharpest eyes I knew it was mother Barbara it was she, I was sure of it well, asked the thailess shall we go on now oh sir, no, please no then it is true what they say you haven't any legs tired out already that doesn't promise very good days for us I didn't reply, I was looking it was mother Barbara it was her bonnet it was her blue skirt she was walking quickly as though she was in a hurry to get home when she got to her gate she pushed it open and then quickly up the garden pass I jumped up and once I got too happy, who sprang towards me mother Barbara did not stay long in the house she came out and began running to and fro in the yard with her arms stretched out she was looking for me, I leaned forward at the top of my voice cried mama, mama but the cry could not reach her it was lost in the air what's the matter, have you gone crazy asked the thailess I did not reply, my eyes were still fixed on mother Barbara but she did not look up for she did not know that I was there above her she went around the garden then out into the road looking up and down I cried louder, but like my first call it was useless then with thailess understood and he also came on the bank it did not take him long to see the figure with the white sun bonnet poor little chap, he said softly to himself oh, I sobbed encouraged by his words of pity do let me go back but he took me by the wrist and threw me down and on to the road as you are now rested, he said we will move on, I tried to free myself but he held me firmly Kapi, Serbino, he said looking at the dogs, the two dogs came close to me Kapi behind and Serbino in front after taking a few steps I turned around we had passed the bend of the hill and I could no longer see the valley nor our house end of chapter 4 recording by Ellie, September 2009 chapter 5 of Nobody's Boy this is a LibraWax recording all LibraWax recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraWax.org recording by Ellie Nobody's Boy by Ektoma Law translated by Florence Crude Jones chapter 5, a route because a man pays 40 franc for a child that is not to say that he is a monster and that he intends to eat the child Vitalis had no desire to eat me and although he brought children he was not a bad man I soon had proof of this we had been walking in silence for some time I hithed a sigh I know just how you feel said Vitalis cry all you want but try and see that this is for your own good those people are not your parents the wife has been good to you and I know that you love her that is why you feel so badly your husband did not want you and he may not be such a bad chap after all he is ill and can't do any more work he will find it hard to get along yes, what he said was true but I had only one thought in my mind perhaps I should never see the one I love most in the world you won't be unhappy with me and continued it is better than being sent to the home and let me tell you you must not try to run away because if you do, Kapi and Sabino would soon catch you run away? where should I go? this tall old man perhaps would be a kind master after all I had never walked so far at the stretch all around us were bare in lens and hairs so beautiful like I had thought the world would be outside of my village Vitalis walked his big curricular strides carrying pretty hard on his shoulder or in his back and the dogs trotted close to us from time to time Vitalis said a word of friendship to them sometimes in French, sometimes in the language that I didn't understand neither he nor the animals seemed to get tired but I, I was exhausted I dragged my limbs along and it was as much as I could do to keep up with my new master yet I did not like to ask him to let me stop it's those wooden shoes that tire you he said looking down at me when we get to Aslo I'll buy you some shoes these words give me courage I had always longed for a pair of shoes the mayor's son and the innkeeper's son were shoes so that on Sunday when they came to church they seemed to slide down the stone aisles while we had a country boys in our glocks made a deafening noise it's Aslo Far ah, that comes from your heart said Vitalis loving so you want to have a pair of shoes do you well I'll promise you them and we speak nails too I'll buy you some velvet pants and the vest and the hat that will make you dry your tears I hope and give you legs to do the next six miles shoes with nails how come this bright it was kind enough to have shoes but shoes with nails I forgot my grief shoes with nails velvet pants, a vest, a hat or if Mother Barbara could see me how happy she would be, how proud of me but in spite of the promise that I should have shoes and velvet pants at the end of the six miles it seemed impossible that I could cover the distance the sky which had been blue when we started was now filled with gray clouds and soon a fine ray commands to fall Vitalis was covered well enough with his sheepskin and he was able to shelter pretty hard who at the first drop of rain had promptly retired into his hiding place but the dogs and I had nothing to cover us and soon we were drenched to the skin the dogs from time to time could shake themselves but I wasn't able to employ these natural means I had to trampelon under my water soaked heavy garments which churned me do you catch cold easily I don't know I don't remember ever having a cold that's good, so there is something in you but I don't want to have it worse for you than we are obliged there is a village a little farther on and we'll sleep there there was no in in this village and no one wanted to take into their homes an old beggar who dragged along with him a child and three dogs soaked to the skin no lodgings here, they said and they shut the door in our faces we went from one house to another we refused to admit that must we dreamt of sformers under us without resting a bit the night had fallen and the rain had chilled us through and through over mother Barbara's house finally a peasant more charitable than his neighbors agreed to let us go into his barn but he made the condition that we could sleep there but must have no light give me your matches he said to Vitalis I'll give them back tomorrow when you go at least we had a roof to cover us the sack which Vitalis had slung over his back he took out a handshift bride and broke it into four pieces then I saw for the first time how he maintained obedience and discipline in his company whilst he had gone from door to door seeking shelter, Sabino had gone into her house and he had run out again almost at once, carrying in his joy breast, Vitalis had only said all right Sabino, tonight I had sought no more of this theft, when I saw Vitalis cut the roll Sabino looked very dejected Vitalis and I were sitting on the box with pretty heart between us the three dogs stood in a row before us Capia and Dolce with their eyes fixed on the master Sabino stood with stroping ears and tail between his legs the thief must leave the ranks and go into a corner so Vitalis in a tone of command he'll go to sleep without his supper Sabino left his place and in a six second over to the corner Vitalis indicated with his finger he crouched down under a heap of hay out of sight and we heard him breathe plaintively with a little wine Vitalis then handed me a piece of bread and while eating his own he broke little pieces for pretty heart, Capia and Dolce how I longed for mother Barbara's soup even with her butter and the warm fire and my little bed with the cowlets that I pulled right up to my nose completely faked out I sat there, my feet hurried by the rubbing of my clogs I trembled with cold in my wet clothing it was night now but I did not think of going to sleep your teeth are chattering said Vitalis are you cold? a little? I heard him open his bag I haven't got much of a bad hope he said but he has a dry shirt and the vest you can put on then get underneath the hay you'll soon get warm and go to sleep but I did not get warm as quick as Vitalis thought for a long time turned and turned on my bed of straw to unhapy to sleep but all my days now be like this a pouring rain, sleeping in a loft shaking with cold and only a piece of dry bread for supper no one to love me no one to cuddle me, no mother Barbara my heart was very sad the tears rolled down my cheeks then a third of warm breath passed over my face I stretched out my hand and my finger touched Capia's woolen coat he had come softly to me stepping cautiously on the straw and he smelled me, sniffed gently his breasts ran over my cheek and in my hair my hand, presently he laid down on the straw quite close to me and very gently commenced to lick my hand touched by this caress I set up on my straw bed and throwing my arms around his neck kissed his cold nose he gave a little stifled cry and then quickly put his paw in my hand and remained quite stare I forgot my fatigue and my sorrows I was no longer alone, I had a friend End of chapter 5 Recording by Ellie, September 2009 Chapter 6 of Nobody's Boy This is a lip-revox recording All lip-revox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit liprevox.org Recording by Ellie Nobody's Boy by Ektoma Law Translated by Florence Crue Jones Chapter 6 by The Bue We started early the next morning the sky was blue and the light wind came up in the night and dried all the mud The birds were singing brightly in the trees and the dogs camped around us Now and again Cappi stood up on his hind paws and barked into my face, two or three times I knew what he meant He was my friend, he was intelligent and he understood everything and he knew how to make me understand In his tale only was more evident eloquence than in the tango in the eyes of many people Although I had never left my village and was most curious to see a town what I most wanted to see in that town was a boot shop Where was the welcome shop where I should find the shoes with snails the totales I promised me I climbed about in every direction as we passed down the old streets of Assel Suddenly my master turned into a shop behind the market hanging outside the front for some gold guns a coat trimmed with gold braid several lamps and some rusty keys We went down three steps and found ourselves in a large room where I have entered since the roof had been put on the house How could such beautiful things as nail shoes be sold in such a terrible place Yet Vitalis knew that I soon had the pleasure of being shot in nail shoes which were ten times as heavy as my clogs My master's generosity did not stop there He bought me a velvet blue coat a pair of trousers and a felt hat Velvet for me would never want anything but cotton This was surely the best man in the world and the most generous I knew that the velvet was greased and that the woolen trousers were well worn and it was difficult to guess what happened the original color of the felt hat It had been so soaked with rain but dazzled by so much finery I was unconscious of the imperfections which were hidden under the aspect When we got back to the inn to my sorrow and astonishment Vitalis took a pair of scissors and cut the two legs of my trousers to the height of the knees before he would let me get into them Because I don't want you to look like everybody else he explained When in France, I will dress you like an Italian when in Italy, like a French boy I was still more amazed We are artists, are we not? Well, we must not dress like the ordinary folk If you went about dress like the country people do you think anybody would look at us? Should we get the crowd around us when we stop? No, appearances count for a great deal in life I was a French boy in the morning and by night I became an Italian My trousers reached my knees Vitalis interlaced red quartz all down my stockings and twisted some red ribbon all over my felt head and then decorated it with a bunch of fullen flowers I don't know what the others thought of me but to be frank, I must admit that they thought I looked superb In Capy was of the same opinion for he stared up at me for a long time then held out his bow with a satisfied air I was glad to have Capy's approval which was all the more agreeable because during the time I had been dressing pretty hard he had seated himself opposite me and with exaggerated air he had imitated every movement I had made and when I was finished put his hands on his hip threw back his head and laughed mockingly It is a scientific question as to whether monkey's laugh are not I lived on familiar terms with pretty hard for a long time and I know that he certainly did laugh and often in a way that was most humiliating to me Of course he did not laugh like a man but when something amused him I would throw back the corners of his mouth scrub his eyes and work his jaws rapidly while his black eyes seemed to dart with flames Now you are ready, said Vitalis as I placed my head on my head we will get to work because tomorrow is market day and you must give a performance you must play in a comedy with the two dogs and pretty hard but I don't know how to play a comedy I cried, scared That is why I am going to teach you you can't know unless you learn because I have studied hard to learn the part it has been hard work for them but now see how clever they are the piece we are going to play is called Mr. Pretty Hard Servant or the fool is not always the one you would think now this is it Mr. Pretty Hard Servant whose name is Cappy is about to leave him because he is getting old and Cappy has promised his master that before he leaves he will get him another servant now this successor is not to be a dog it is to be a boy oh you must come from the country to take a position with Mr. Pretty Hard monkeys don't have servants in place they have well you have come straight from your village and your new master thinks that you are a fool oh I don't like that what does that matter if it makes people laugh well you have come to this gentleman to be his servant and you are told to set the table here is one like we shall use in play go and set it a glass, a knife, a fork and a white tablecloth how could they arrange all these things as they pondered over this question leaning forward my hands outstretched the mouse opened not knowing where to begin my master clapped his hands and laughed heartily bravo he cried bravo that's perfect the boy I had before put on a sly expression as much as to say see what the fool I can make of myself but you are a natural that is splendid but I don't know what I have to do that's why you are so good after you do know you will have to pretend just what you are feeling now if you can get the same expression and stand just like you are standing now you will be a great success to play this part to perfection you only have to act and look as you do at this moment Mr. Pretty Hard servant was not a great play the performance lasted no more than 20 minutes Vitalis made us do it over and over again the dogs and I I was surprised to see our master so patient I had seen the animals in my village treated with oaths and blows and they could not learn although the lesson lasted a long time not once did he get angry not once did he swear now do that over again he said severely when a mistake had been made that is bad copy I'll scold you pretty hard if you don't pay attention but that was all and yet it was enough take the dogs for an example he said while teaching me compare them with pretty hard pretty hard helps perhaps with versatility and intelligence but he has no patience he learns easily what he is taught but he forgets it at once besides he never does what he is told willingly he likes to do just the contrary that is his nature that is why I do not get angry with him monkeys have not the same conscience that the dog has they don't understand the meaning of the word duty that is why they are inferior to the dog do you understand that I think so you are intelligent and attentive and impressed in what you have to do remember that all through your life talking to him so I summed up the courage to ask him about what did astonish me during the rehearsal how could he be so wonderfully patient with the dogs the monkey and myself he smiled one can see that you have lived only with peasants who are rough with animals and think that they can only be made to obey by having a stick held over their heads a great mistake one gains very little by being cruel it is not all by gentleness it is because I am never unkind to my animals that they are what they are if I had beaten them they would be frightened creatures fear paralyzes the intelligence besides if I gave way to temper I should not be what I am I could not have acquired these patients which has won their confidence they chose the two instructs others instructs himself as I have given lessons to my animals I have also received lessons from them I have developed their intelligence and they have found my character I laughed this seemed strange to me you find that odd it continued odd that the dog could give a lesson to a man yet it is true the master is obliged to watch over himself when he undertakes to teach a dog a dog takes after the master show me your dog and I will tell you what you are the criminal has a dog with a rogue the burglar's dog is a thief the country joker has a stupid and intelligent dog I was very nervous at the sort of appearing before the public the next day the dogs and the monkey had the advantage over me they had played before hundreds of times what would we tell you say if I did not play my part well what would the audience say I was so worried that when the glasses dropped off to sleep I could see in my dreams a crowd of people holding their sides with laughter because I was such a fool I was even more nervous the next day when we marched off in a procession to the marketplace we were to give our performance Vitalis led the way holding his head high and his chest thrown out he kept time with his arms and feet regularly playing his fifth behind him came Cappy carrying pretty hard on his back wearing the uniform of an English general a red coat and trousers stringed with gold bread the helmet topped with a bloom Sabino and Dulce came next at a respectful distance I brought up the rear our procession took up some lengths as we had to walk a certain space apart the piercing notes of the fifth brought the people running from their houses scores of children ran behind us and by the time we had reached the square there was a great crowd but I see it I was quickly arranged I hope it was fast enough for at least and in the middle of the square we took our places the first numbers on the program consisted of various tricks performed by the dogs I had the slightest notion what they did I was so nervous and taken up by repeating my own part all that I remember was that Vitalis put aside his fifth and took his violin and playing accompaniments to the dog's maneuvers sometimes it was dance music sometimes sentimental airs the tricks over Cappy took a metal cup between his teeth and began to go the round of the distinguished audience when expected there failed to drop a coin in he put his two four paws upon the reluctant givers pocket parking three times he kept the pocket with his paw at this everyone laughed and shouted his delight if that ain't a cunning Spaniel he knows who's got money and who hasn't say out with it he'll give something not he and his uncle left him a legacy the stingy cuss and finally a penny was dug out of a deep pocket and thrown in the cup during this time Vitalis without seeing a word but with his eyes following Cappy soon Cappy returned to his master proudly carrying the full cup now for the comedy ladies and gentlemen said Vitalis gesticulating with his bow in one hand and his violin in the other we are going to have a delightful comedy called with the pretty heart servant or the fool is not always the one you would think a man of my standing does not lure himself by praising his plays and actors in advance all you have to say is look listen and be ready to applaud what Vitalis called a delightful comedy was really a pantomime naturally it had to be for a very good reason the two of its principles pretty heart and Cappy could not speak and deserve myself was incapable of uttering two words however so that the audience could clearly understand the play Vitalis explained the various situations as the piece progressed for instance striking up a wall like air he announced the entrance of general pretty heart who had won his high rank in various battles in India up to that day general pretty heart had only had Cappy for a servant but he now wished to have a human being as his means allowed him dysluxury for a long time animals have been the slaves of men but it was time that such was changed while waiting for the servant to arrive the general walked up and down smoking his cigar you should see the way he blew the smoke into the onlookers faces becoming impatient he began to roll his eyes like a man who is about to have a fit of temper he bit his lips stamped on the ground at the third stamp I had to make my appearance on the scene let back happy I felt forgotten my part the dog would have reminded me at the given moment he held out his paw to me and introduced me to the general this letter upon noticing me held up his two hands in despair what was that the servant that had procured for him then he came and looked partly into my face and walked around me shrugging his shoulders his expression was so comical that everyone burst at loving he quite understood what the monkey thought I was a fool the spectator thought that also the piece was made to show how dense was my stupidity while every opportunity was afforded the monkey to show his agacity and intelligence after having examined me thoroughly the general out of pity decided to keep me he pointed to a table that was already set for luncheon and signed to me to take my seat the general thinks that after his servant has had something to eat he won't be such an idiot explained to italy's I sat down at the little table a table napkin was placed on my plate what was I to do with that napkin copy made a sign for me to use it after looking at it thoughtful for a moment I blew my nose then the general held his sides with laughter and copy fell over with his four paws up in the air upset at my stupidity seeing that I had made a mistake I stared again at the table napkin wondering what I was to do with it then I had an idea I rolled it up and made an eggtie for myself more laughter from the general another fall from copy is paws in the air then finally overcome his exasperation the general dragged me from the chair seated himself at my place and ate up the meal that had been prepared for me ah, he knew how to use a table napkin how gracefully he tucked it into his uniform and spread it out upon his knees and use what in elegant air he broke his pride and emptied his glass the climax was reached and the luncheon over he asked for a toothpick which gently passed between his teeth at this applause broke out on all sides and the performance ended triumphantly what a fool of a servant and what a wonderful monkey on our way back to the inn with the list complimented me and I was already such a good comedian that I appreciated this praise from a master end of chapter 6 recording by ellie september 2009 chapter 7 of nobody's boy this is a lipovox recording all lipovox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit lipovox.org recording by ellie nobody's boy by ecto amalou translated by florentscrewjones chapter 7 child and animal learning with the least small group of ectos were certainly very clever but that talent was not very versatile for this reason we were not able to remain long in the same town three days after our arrival in azzel we were on our way again where were we going I had come bold enough to put this question to my master do you know this part of the country he asked looking at me no then why do you ask where we are going so as to know to know what I was silent do you know how to read he asked after looking thoughtfully at me for a moment no then I'll teach you from a book the names and all about the towns through which we travel it will be like having a story told to you I have been brought up in utter ignorance true I have been sent to the village school for a month but during this month I had never once had a book in my hand at the time of which I write there were many villages in France not even both the school and in some where there was a school master either he knew nothing or he had some other occupation and could give little attention to the children confided to his care this was the case with the master of our village school I do not mean to say that he was ignorant but during the months that I attended this school he did not give us one single lesson he had something else to do by trade he was a shoemaker or rather a clock maker for no one bought shoes from him I sat at this bench all day shaving pieces of beachwood into clocks so I learned absolutely nothing at school and even my alphabet is it difficult to read? I asked after we had worked some time in silence have you got the hard head? I don't know but I'd like to learn if you'll teach me well, we'll see about that we have plenty of time ahead of us time ahead of us? why no commands at once? I did not know how difficult it was to learn to read but I adjusted to open a book and almost at once know what it contained the next day as we were walking along Italy stooped down and picked up a piece of wood covered with dust see, this is the book from which we are going to learn to read he said a book, a piece of wood I looked at him to see if he were joking but he looked quite serious I stared at the bit of wood it was as long as my arm and as wide as my two hands were drawing on it wait until we get to those trees down there where we'll rest that Italy is smiling at my astonishment I'll show you how, I'm going to teach you to read from this when we got to the trees and threw our bags on the ground and sat down on the green grass with the daisies growing here and there pretty hard, having got rid of his chains bring up into the tree and shook the branches one after another as though he were making nuts fall the dogs lay down beside us after having smoothed the wood on both sides began to cut tiny pieces 12, all of equal size I'm going to carve a letter out of each piece of wood, he said looking up at me I had not taken my eyes off him you will learn these letters from their shapes and when you are able to tell me what they are at first sight, I will form them into words when you can read the words then you shall learn from a book I soon had my pockets full of little bits of wood and was not long in learning the letters of the alphabet but to know how to read was quite another thing I could not get along very fast and often regretted having expressed a wish to learn I must say, however, it was not because I was lazy, it was bright while teaching me my letters with the least thought, he would teach copy at the same time if a dog could learn to tell the hour from a watch why could he not learn the letters the pieces of wood were all spread out on the grass and he was taught that this is poor he must throw out the letter I was asked at first I made more progress than he but if I had quicker intelligence he had better memory once I learned the thing, he knew it always he did not forget when I made a mistake, Vitalis would say copy will learn to read before you, Rumi and copy evidently understanding proudly shook his tail I was so hurt that I applied myself to the task with all my heart and while the poor dog could get no farther than pulling out the four letters I finally learned to read a book now that you know how to read words how would you like to read music asked Vitalis if I knew how to read music could I sing like you, I asked ah, so you would like to sing like me he answered I know that would be impossible but I'd like to sing a little do you like to hear me sing then I like it more than anything it's better than the nightingales but it's not like the song at all sometimes I want to cry and sometimes I want to laugh don't think me silly master but when you sing those songs I think that I'm back with Dear Mother Babara if I shut my eyes I can see her again in our little house and yet I don't know the words you sing because they are Italian I looked up at him and saw that he was standing in his eyes then I stopped and asked him if what I said had hurt him no my child on the contrary, you take me back to my younger days yes, I will teach you to sing little Rumi, and as you have a heart you also will make people weep at your songs he stopped suddenly and I felt that he did not wish to say more at that moment I did not know the reason why he should feel sad the next day he cut out little pieces of wood for the music notes the same as he had for the letters the notes were more complicated than the alphabet and this time I found it much harder and more tedious to learn to be patient with the dogs more than once lost patience with me more than animal he cried one controls oneself because one is dealing with a poor dumb creature but you are enough to drive him mad he threw up his hands dramatically pretty hard to took special delight in imitating gestures he thought funny mimicked my master and as the monkey was present at my lessons every day I had the humiliation to see him lift his arms in despair every time I hesitated to tell you, great vitalis if I had dared I would have said that he mocked the master as much as the pupil but respect as well as a certain fear forbade me finally after many weeks of study I was able to sing an air from a piece of paper that vitalis himself had written that day my master did not throw up his hands but instead patted me on the cheek declaring that if I continued thus I should certainly become a great singer end of chapter 7 recording by Ellie, September 2009 chapter 8 of Nobody's Boy this is a LibraVox recording, all LibraVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org recording by Ellie, Nobody's Boy by Ektoa Malod translated by Florence Crue Jones chapter 8, one who had known a king our mode of traveling was very simple we went straight ahead anywhere and when we found the village which from the distance looked sufficiently important we began preparations for a triumphal entry I dressed the dogs and combed Dulce's hair stuck a blast over Capy's eye when he was playing the part of an old grouchy man and forced pretty hard into his general's uniform that was the most difficult thing I had to do for the monkey who knew well enough that this was a prelude to work for him invented the other tricks to prevent me from dressing him then I was forced to call Capy to come to my aid and between the two of us we finally managed to subdue him the company all dressed Mitteris took his fifth and went in marching order into the village if the number of people who drew behind us was sufficient we gave a performance but if we only had a few strikers we did not think it was a while to stop so continued on our way when we stayed several days in the town Mitteris would let me go about the loan if Capy was with me he trusted me with Capy you are travelling through France at the age where most boys are at school he once said to me open your eyes, look and learn when you see something that you do not understand do not be afraid to ask me questions I have not always been what you see now I have learned many other things what? we will speak of that later for the present listen to my advice and when you grow up I hope you will think with a little gratitude of the poor musician of whom you were so afraid when he took you from your adopted mother the change may not be bad for you after all I wonder what my master had been in days gone by we dreamt on until we came to the plains of Corsi to a flat and desolate there was not the brook pond or river to be seen in the middle of the plain we came to a small village called Bastille-Mura we spent the night in a barn belonging to the inn it was here in this village and probably in this inn that the man was born who led thousands of soldiers to battle and who having commands his life as a stable boy afterwards became a king his name was Murat they called him a hero and they named this village after him I knew him and often talked to him when he was a stable boy no, replied Witton is laughing when he was a king this was the first time I have been in this part of the country I knew him in Naples where he was king you have known a king? the tone in which I said this must have been rather comical from a master laughed heartily we were seated on a bench before the stable door our backs against the wall which was still hot from the sun's rays the locals were chanting the monotonous song in a great synchromor which covered us with its branches over the tops of the house is the full moon which had just appeared roschantly in the heavens the night seemed all the more beautiful and the day had been scorchingly hot do you want to go to bed? asked Wittalys how would you like me to tell you the story of King Murat? oh, tell me the story then he told me the story of George King Murat for hours we sat on the bench as he talked the pale light from the moon fell across him and I listened and read the tension my eyes fixed on his face I had not heard the story before who would have told me not mother Barbara surely would not know anything about it she was born in Shavono and would probably die there her mind had never traveled farther than her eyes my master had seen a king and this king had spoken to him what was my master in his youth and how he'd become what I saw him now in his old age we had been tramping since morning Wittalys had said that we should reach a village by night where we could sleep but night had come and I saw no signs of this village no smoke in the distance to indicate that we were near a house I could see nothing but the stretch of planes ahead of us I was tired and long to go to sleep Wittalys was tired also he wanted to stop and rest by the roadside but instead of sitting down beside him I told him I would climb the hill that was on the left of us and see if I could make out the village I called Cappy but Cappy was also tired and turned the deaf ear to my call this usually did and he did not wish to obey me are you afraid? asked Wittalys his question made me start off at once alone night had fallen there was no moon but the twinkling stars in the sky drew the light on the misty atmosphere the various things around me seemed to take a strange weird form in the dim light while first growing bushes beside the huge stone switch towering above me seemed as though they turned to look at me the higher I climbed the thicker became the trees and shrubs the tops passing over my head and interlacing sometimes I took roles through them to get by yet I was determined to get to the top of the hill but when at last they did and gazed around I could see no light anywhere nothing but strange shadows and forms and great trees which seemed to hold out their branches to me like arms ready to enfold me I listened to see if I could catch the bark of a dog or the bellow of a cow but all was silent as my ear on the alert scarcely freezing as to hear better as to quiet for a moment then I began to tremble the silence of this lonely uncultivated country frightened me of what was I frightened the silence probably the night anyhow a nameless fear was creeping over me my heart beat quickly as though some danger was near it glanced fearfully around me and then in the distance I saw a great form moving amongst the trees at the same time I could hear the rustling of branches I tried to tell myself that it was the fear that made me fancy I saw something unusual perhaps it was a shrub, a branch but then the branches were moving and there was not the press of wind or a breeze that could shake them they could not move unless swayed by the breeze or touched by someone someone? no this great dark form that was coming towards me could not be a man some kind of animal that they did not know or an intense night bird a gigantic spider hovering over the tops of the trees what was certain this creature had legs of unusual strengths which brought it along with amazing bounds seeing this I quickly found my own legs and rushed down the hill towards Vitalis but strange to say I made less haste going down than I had in climbing up I threw myself into the sick of the tessals and prambles scratching myself at every step scrambling out of a prickly bush I took a glance back the animal was coming nearer it was almost upon me fortunately I had reached the bottom of the hill and I could run quicker across the grass although I raced at the top of my speed this thing was gaining upon me there was no need for me to look behind I knew that this was just at the back of me I could scarcely breath my race had almost exhausted me my breath came in gasps I made one final effort and fell sprawling at Vitalis feet I could only repeat two words the beast, the beast above the loud barking of the dogs I heard a hearty peel of laughter at the same time my master put his hands on my shoulders and forced me to look around you goose he cried still loving look up and see it his laugh more than his words brought me to my senses I opened one eye then the other and looked where he was pointing the apparition which had so frightened me had stopped and was standing still in the road at the sight of it again I must confess I began to shake but I was with Vitalis and the dogs beside me I was not alone up there in the trees I looked up boldly and fixed my eyes on the thing was it an animal or a man? it had the body, the head and the arms like a man but the shaky skin which covered it and the two long thin legs upon which it seemed to pose looked as though they belonged to an animal although the night was dark I could see this for the silhouette of this dark form stood against the starry sky I should have remained a long time undecided as to what it was if a master had not spoken to it can you tell me if we are far from the village? he asked politely he was a man then if one could speak to him what was my astonishment when the animal said that there were no houses near but an inn to which he could take us if he could talk why did he have paws if I had had the courage I would have gone up to him to see how his paws were made I was still somewhat afraid so I picked up my bag and followed my master without saying a word you see now what scared you so we tell is said, loving, as we went on our way but I don't know what it was yet are there giants in this part of the country then? yes, a man standing on stilts then he explained to me that there long there as to get over the marshy plains and not to sink in up to the hips stride about the country on stilts what the goose I had been end of chapter 8, recording by ellie, september 2009 chapter 9 of nobody's boy this is a lipovox recording all lipovox recordings are in the public domain for more information and volunteer please visit lipovox.org recording by ellie nobody's boy by ectoma law translated by Florence Crue Jones chapter 9, arrested I had a pleasant remembrance of Po the beautiful winter resort where the winds casually ever blew we stayed there the whole winter for we were taking in quite a lot of money our audience consisted mostly of children and they were never tired if we did give the same performance over and over again they were children of the rich mostly english and american fat little boys with ruddy skins pretty little girls with soft eyes almost as beautiful as torches it was from these children that they got the taste for candy for they always came with the pockets stuffed with sweets which they divided between pretty hot the dogs and myself but when the spring approached our audience grew smaller one by one, two by two the little ones came to shake hands with pretty hot cappie and dolci they had come to say goodbye they were going away so we also had to leave the beautiful winter resort and take up our wandering life again for a long time I do not know how many days or weeks we went through valleys over hills leaving behind the blueish top of the Pyrenees which now looked like a mass of clouds then one night we came to a great dawn with ugly red houses with streets paved with little pointed stones hard to defeat of travelers who had walked a dozen miles a day my master told me that we were going to lose and that we should stay there for a long time as usual the first thing we did was to look about for a suitable place for the next day's performance suitable places were not lacking especially near the botanical gardens where there is a beautiful lawn shaded with big trees and a wide area new leading to it it was in one of the sidewalks that we first gave our performance a policeman stood by while we arranged our things he seemed annoyed either because he did not like dogs or because he thought we had no business there he tried to send us away it would have been better if we had gone we were not strong enough to hold out against the police but my master did not think so although he was an old man who was trolling about the country with his dogs he was very proud he considered that as he was not breaking the law he should have police protection so when the officer wanted to send us away he refused to leave Vitalis was very polite in fact he carried his Italian politeness to the extreme one might have thought that he was addressing some high and mighty personage the illustrious gentleman who represents the police authority he said taking off his hat and bowing low to the policeman can you show me an emanating order from the said authority which states that it is forbidden for post-rolling players to carry on the humble profession in a public square the policeman replied that you would have no argument we must obey certainly replied Vitalis and I promise that I will do as you order as soon as you let me know that day the officer turned on his heels and my master was head in hand body paint low smilingly bowed to the retreating form but the next day the representative of the law returned and jumped over the ropes which enclosed our theater he sprang into the middle of the performance muscle those dogs he said roughly to Vitalis muscle my dogs? it's an order of the law you ought to know that the spectators began to protest don't interrupt and finished the show cop Vitalis then took off his felt hat and with its bloom sweeping the ground made three stately bows to the officer the illustrious gentleman representing the law does he tell me that I must muscle my ectas? he asked yes and be quick about it muscle copy Sabino Dolci cried Vitalis addressing himself more to the audience than to the officer how can the great physician copy known throughout the universe if the sad physician wears a muscle on the end of his nose the children and parents began to laugh Vitalis encouraged by the applause continued and how can the charming nurse Dolci use her eloquence to persuade the patient to take the horrible medicine which is to relieve him from his pains if I am forced to carry out this cruel order of the law I ask the audience if this is fair the clapping of hands and shouts of laughter from the onlookers was answer enough the cheered Vitalis and hooted the policeman and above all they were amused at the grimaces pretty hard was making he had taken his place behind the illustrious gentleman who represented the law and was making ridiculous grimaces behind his back the officer crossed his arms then ungrossed him and stuck his fist on his hips and threw back his head so did the monkey the onlookers screamed his laughter the officer turned round sadly to see what amused them and saw the monkey striking his own attitude to perfection for some moments the monkey and the man stared at each other it was a question which would lower his eyes first the crowd yelled with delight if your dogs are not muscled tomorrow cried the policeman angrily shaking his fist you will be arrested that's all good day until tomorrow senior said Vitalis Boing until tomorrow as the officers throwed away Vitalis stood with his body almost bent to the ground in mock respect I thought that he would buy some mussels for the dogs but he did nothing of the kind and the evening passed without him even mentioning his quarrel with the policeman I decided at last to approach the subject myself if you don't want to copy to tear off his mussel tomorrow during the performance I said I think it would be a good thing to put it on him beforehand and let him get used to it we can teach him that he must keep it on you think I'm going to put one of those things on the little noses the officer is down on us you're only a country boy like all peasants you're afraid of a policeman don't worry he added I'll have matters arranged tomorrow so that the policeman can't have me arrested and at the same time so that the dogs won't be uncomfortable on the other hand the public shall be amused a bit this officer should be the means of bringing us some more money and in the bargain play the comic role in the piece that I shall prepare for him now tomorrow you are to go there alone I will arrange the ropes and play a few pieces on your harp and when you have a large audience the officer will arrive on the scene I will make my appearance with the dogs then the fast wheel commands I did not at all like going alone the next day but I knew that my master must be obeyed as soon as I got to a usual place I roped off an enclosure and commands to play the people came from all parts and crowded outside the ropes by now I had learned to play the harp and most other songs I had learned a near-politian cantonetta which was always greatly applauded but today I knew that the crowd had not come to pay tribute to my talent all who had witnessed the dispute was the officer the day before the present and had brought their friends with them the police are not likely to lose and the public were curious to see how the old Italian would come out and what significance was attached to his parting words until tomorrow, senior several of the spectators telling me alone is pretty hard interrupted my song to ask if the old Italian was coming I nodded the policeman arrived pretty hard saw him first he at once put his clenched hands on his hips and began rotting around in a ridiculously important manner the crowd laughed at his antics and clapped their hands the officer declared at me angrily how was it going to end I was rather ill at ease if Vitalis were there he could reply to the officer if he ordered me away what should I say the policeman stroked back and forth outside the robes and when he passed near me he had a way of looking at me over his shoulder that did not reassure me pretty hard did not understand the seriousness of the situation so he gleefully strutted along inside the robes side by side with the officer mimicking his every movement as he passed me he also looked at me over his shoulder in such a comical manner that the people laughed still louder he had gone far enough so I called pretty hard but he was in a mood to obey and continued his walk running and dodging me when I tried to catch him I don't know how it happened but the policeman probably made with rage thought I was encouraging the monkey before he quickly jumped the robes in a moment he was upon me and had knocked me to the ground with one blow when I opened my eyes and got to my feet Vitalis who had sprung from I don't know where stood before me he had just seized the policeman's wrist I forbid you to strike that child he cried what a cowardly thing to do for some moments the two men looked at each other the officer was purple with rage my master was so perp he held his beautiful white head high his face expressed indignation and command his look was enough to make the policeman sink into the earth but he did nothing of the kind he wrenched his hand free seized my master by the collar and roughly pushed him before him he almost fell but he threw himself up quickly and with his free hand struck the officer on the wrist my master was a strong man but still he was an old man and the policeman was young and robust I saw how his struggle would end but there was no struggle you come along with me said the officer you are under arrest why did you strike that child demanded Vitalis no talk follow me Vitalis did not reply but turned around to me go back to the inn stay there with the dogs I'll send word to you he had no chance to see more for the officer dragged him off so ended the performance the poor master had wanted to make him using the dogs at first had followed the master but they called him back and they cast him to obey the return to me I noticed that they were muscled but instead of their faces being enclosed and the usual dog muscled they simply wore a pretty piece of silk fastened around the noses and tied under their chins white or red Sabino was black or white and Dolce or gray or blue the poor master had thus carried out the order of the law the public quickly dispersed a few stragglers remained to discuss what had happened the old man was right he was wrong why did the cop strike the boy he did nothing to him never said a word bad business, the old fellow will go to jail for sure I went back to the inn depressed in the fond of my master more and more every day we lived the same life together from morning till night and often from night to morning and we had to sleep on the same bed of straw no father could have shown more care for his child than he showed for me he had taught me to read, to sing and to write during our long tramps he gave me lessons first on one subject, then on another on very cold days he shared his coverings with me on hot days he had always helped me carry the bags the various things that I was supposed to carry and when we ate he never served me the worst piece keeping the best for himself on the contrary he shared it equally the good and the bad it is true he sometimes pulled my ears more roughly than I liked but if I needed the correction what of that in a word I loved him and he loved me for how long would they send him to prison what should I do during that time how should I live and he had not had time to give me anything before he was dragged off I only had a few soo in my pocket would it be enough to buy food for pretty heart and the dogs and myself I spent the next two days in agony not daring to leave therein the monkey and the dogs were also very downcast at last on the third day a man brought me a letter from him Vitalis wrote me that on the following Saturday he was to be tried for resisting police authority and for attacking an officer wrong to get into a temper he wrote this may cost me dearly but it is too late now come to court and you will learn a lesson then he gave me some advice and sent his love to me telling me to caress the animals for him while I was reading the letter copy standing between my feet put his nose in the paper and sniffed it I could see by the way like this tale that he knew it had come from his master this was the first time in three days that he had shown any signs of joy I got to the court early on Saturday morning many of the people who had witnessed the scene with the policemen were present I was so scared of being in court that I got behind a large stove and squeezed up as small as a court against the wall some men who had been arrested for robbery others for fighting the tried first all said that they were innocent but all were found guilty at last Vitalis was brought in he sat down on a bench between two policemen what he said at first and what they asked him he scarcely knew my emotion was so great I stared at Vitalis he stood upright his white heads from back he looked ashamed and worried I looked at the judge you gave blows to the officer who arrested you said the judge I only struck once when I got to the place when we were to give our performance I was just in time to see the officer fell a child to the ground with a blow the little boy who is with me was not yours no but I love him as my own son and when I saw him struck I lost my temper and seized the policemen's arms so that he could not strike again you struck him when he laid his hands on me I thought of him only as a man not as a police officer the officer then said what he had to say Vitalis eyes roamed around the room I knew that he was looking to see if I were there so I decided to come out of my hiding place going through the crowd of people that came and stood beside him he is facelied up when he saw me presently the trial ended he was sentenced to two months in prison and a fine of one hundred franc two months prison the doors of which Vitalis had entered was opened so my tears I saw him follow a policeman and the door closed behind him two months separation where should I go end of chapter 9 but in 1009