use it was built of brick, and was several stories high. At
one of the windows I pretend I remember seeing a tailor mending the
uniforms of the cadets. I knew the uniforms, and I knew, in later
years, the man who had been the tailor; but I am not sure that he did
not emigrate to America, there to seek his fortune in a candy shop,
and his happiness in a family of triplets, twins, and even odds, long
before I was old enough to toddle as far as the gate.

Behind my grandfather's house was a low hill, which I do _not_
remember as a mountain. Perhaps it was only a hump in the ground. This
eminence, of whatever stature, was a part of the Vall, a longer and
higher ridge on the top of which was a promenade, and which was said
to be the burying-ground of Napoleonic soldiers. This historic rumor
meant very little to me, for I never knew what Napoleon was.

It was not my way to accept unchallenged every superstition that came
to my ears. Among the wild flowers that grew on the grassy slopes of
the Vall, there was a small daisy, popularly called "blind flower,"
because it was supposed to cause blindness in rash children who picked
it. I was rash, if I was awake; and I picked "blind flowers" behind
the house, handfuls of them, and enjoyed my eyesight unimpaired. If my
faith in nursery lore was shaken by this experience, I kept my
discovery to myself, and did not undertake to enlighten my playmates.
I find other instances, later on, of the curious fact that I was
content with _finding out_ for myself. It is curious to me because I
am not so reticent now. When I discover anything, if only a new tint
in the red sunset, I must publish the fact to all my friends. Is it
possible that in my childish reflections I recognized the fact that
ours was a secretive atmosphere, where knowledge was for the few, and
wisdom was sometimes a capital offence?

In the summer-time I lived outdoors considerably. I found many
occasions to visit my mother in the store, which gave me a long walk.
If my errand was not pressing--or perhaps even if it was--I made a
long stop on the Platz, especially if I had a companion with me. The
Platz was a rectangular space in the centre of a roomy square, with a
shady promenade around its level lawn. The Korpus faced on the Platz,
which was its drill ground. Around the square were grouped the fine
residences of the officers of the Korpus, with a great white church
occupying one side. These buildings had a fearful interes