CHAPTER IV 



THE SCHOOLBOY: SAINT-LEONS 



TO know a pupil thoroughly, it is not 

 enough to study him in class; one must 

 watch him at play, for it is then especially 

 that his nascent tastes reveal themselves, and 

 the outlines of his future personality are 

 more plainly discerned. 



We have seen Jean-Henri bending over 

 his task under the eye of the schoolmaster, 

 or of his father; now let us follow him in 

 the free play of his activities, absorbed in 

 intimate communion with the children of na- 

 ture. He himself will tell us what were his 

 favourite pastimes in the garden, by the pond, 

 or in the fields. 



All the reminiscences of the little Jean- 

 Henri's schooldays pall before the memory 

 of his father's garden: 



A tiny hanging garden of some thirty paces by 

 ten, situated right at the top of the village. The 

 only spot that overlooks it is a little esplanade on 

 which stands the old castle ^ with the four turrets 



1 The Chateau de Saint-Leons standing just outside 

 and above the village of Saint-Leons, where the author 



39 



