Країна сліпих

           "Thosequeerthingsthatarecalledtheeyes,andwhichexisttomakeanagreeablesoftdepressionintheface,arediseased,inthecaseofBogota,insuchawayastoaffecthisbrain. Theyaregreatlydistended,hehaseyelashes,andhiseyelidsmove,andconsequentlyhisbrainisinastateofconstantirritationanddistraction." 

           "Yes?"saidoldYacob."Yes?" 

           "AndIthinkImaysaywithreasonablecertaintythat,inordertocurehimcompletely,allthatweneeddoisasimpleandeasysurgicaloperation—namely,toremovetheseirritantbodies." 

           "Andthenhewillbesane?" 

           "Thenhewillbeperfectlysane,andaquiteadmirablecitizen." 

           "ThankHeavenforscience!"saidoldYacob,andwentforthatoncetotellNunezofhishappyhopes. 

           ButNunez’smannerofreceivingthegoodnewsstruckhimasbeingcoldanddisappointing. 

           "Onemightthink,"hesaid,"fromthetoneyoutake,thatyoudidnotcareformydaughter." 

           ItwasMedina-sarotiwhopersuadedNuneztofacetheblindsurgeons. 

           "Youdonotwantme,"hesaid,"tolosemygiftofsight?" 

           Sheshookherhead. 

           "Myworldissight." 

           Herheaddroopedlower. 

           "Therearethebeautifulthings,thebeautifullittlethings—theflowers,thelichensamongtherocks,thelightnessandsoftnessonapieceoffur,thefarskywithitsdriftingdownofclouds,thesunsetsandthestars. Andthereisyou. Foryoualoneitisgoodtohavesight,toseeyoursweet,sereneface,yourkindlylips,yourdear,beautifulhandsfoldedtogether... Itistheseeyesofmineyouwon,theseeyesthatholdmetoyou,thattheseidiotsseek.