AARON AND MOSES 151 



of his face, as if to see what effect was being produced, while 

 the changing expressions of his own visage plainly showed 

 that he was not indifferent to the actions of the patient. 



While I was present with the sick one, Aaron appeared 

 to feel a certain sense of relief from the care of him, and 

 frequently went climbing about as if to rest and recreate 

 himself by a change of routine. Whenever I took Moses 

 for a walk, or sat with him on my lap, his little nurse was 

 perfectly content ; but the instant they were left alone, 

 Aaron would again fold him in his arms, as if he felt it a 

 duty to do so. 



It was only natural that Moses, in such a state of health, 

 should be cross and peevish at times, as human beings in 

 a like condition are ; but I never once saw Aaron resent 

 anything Moses did, or display the least ill-temper towards 

 him. On the contrary, his conduct was so patient and for- 

 bearing that it was hard to forego the belief that it was 

 prompted by the same motives of kindness and sympathy 

 that move the human heart to deeds of tenderness and 

 mercy. At night, when they were put to rest, they lay 

 cuddled up in each other's arms, and in the morning they 

 were always found in the same close embrace. 



But on the morning Moses died the conduct of Aaron was 

 unlike anything I had observed before. When I approached 

 their snug little house and drew aside the curtain, I found 

 him sitting in one corner of the cage. His face wore a look 

 of concern, as if he were aware that something awful had 

 occurred. When I opened the door he neither moved nor 

 uttered any sound. I do not know whether or not apes have 

 any name for death, but they surely know what it is. 



