Page 313 - The Story of My Lif

We spent a delightful week with the “doctors.” Dr. Keller met us in Memphis.
Almost every one on the train was a physician, and Dr. Keller seemed to know
them all. When we reached Cincinnati, we found the place full of doctors. There

were several prominent Boston physicians among them. We stayed at the Burnet
House.

Everybody was delighted with Helen. All the learned men marveled at her

intelligence and gaiety. There is something about her that attracts people. I think
it is her joyous interest in everything and everybody.

Wherever she went she was the centre of interest. She was delighted with the
orchestra at the hotel, and whenever the music began she danced round the
room, hugging and kissing every one she happened to touch. Her happiness

impressed all; nobody seemed to pity her. One gentleman said to Dr. Keller, “I
have lived long and seen many happy faces; but I have never seen such a radiant
face as this child’s before to-night.” Another said, “Damn me!

but I’d give everything I own in the world to have that little girl always near
me.” But I haven’t time to write all the pleasant things people said—they would
make a very large book, and the kind things they did for us would fill another
volume.

Dr. Keller distributed the extracts from the report that Mr.

Anagnos sent me, and he could have disposed of a thousand if he had had them.
Do you remember Dr. Garcelon, who was Governor of Maine several years ago?
He took us to drive one afternoon, and wanted to give Helen a doll; but she said:
“I do not like too many children. Nancy is sick, and Adeline is cross, and Ida is
very bad.” We laughed until we cried, she was so serious about it. “What would
you like, then?” asked the Doctor. “Some beautiful gloves to talk with,” she
answered. The Doctor was puzzled. He had never heard of “talking-gloves”; but
I explained that she had seen a glove on which the alphabet was printed, and
evidently thought they could be bought. I told him he could buy some gloves if
he wished, and that I would have the alphabet stamped on them.