Iotrecallpenedduringthefirstmonthsaftermyillness.IonlyknowthatIsatinmymotherslaporgtoherdressasshewentaboutherhouseholdduties.Myhaeveryobjedobservedeverymotion,andinthiswayIlearoknowmanythings.Sooheneedofsomeunicationwithothersaomakecrudesigns.Ashakeoftheheadmeant"No"andanod,"Yes,"apullmeant"e"andapush,"Go."WasitbreadthatIwahenIwouldimitatetheactsofcuttingtheslidbutteringthem.IfIwantedmymothertomakeice-creamfordinnerImadethesignfthefreezerandshivered,indigymother,moreover,succeededinmakingmeuandagooddeal.Ialwaysknewwhenshewishedmethersomething,andIwouldrunupstairsoranywhereelsesheindicated.Indeed,Iowetoherlovingwisdomallthatwasbrightandgoodinmylongnight.

    Iuoodagooddealofwhatwasgoingonaboutme.AtfiveIlearofoldandputawaytheclotheswhentheywerebroughtinfromthelaundry,andIdistinguishedmyownfromtherest.Ikhewaymymotherandauntdressedwhentheyweregoingout,andIinvariablybeggedtogowiththem.Iwasalwayssentforwhentherewaspany,ahegueststooktheirleave,Iwavedmyhandtothem,Ithinkwithavagueremembrahemeaningofthegesture.Onedaysomegentlemencalledonmymother,aheshuttingofthefrontdoorandothersoundsthatindicatedtheirarrival.OnasuddenthoughtIranupstairsbeforeanyonecouldstopme,toputonmyideaofapanydress.Standingbeforethemirror,asIhadseenothersdo,Ianointedmineheadwithoilandcoveredmyfacethicklywithpowder.

    ThenIpinnedaveilovermyheadsothatitcoveredmyfadfellinfoldsdowntomyshoulders,andtiedanenormousbustleroundmysmallwaist,sothatitdangledbehind,almostmeet