In one word, give to them both liberty to move
around, and the free air, and they will, without any doubt, and
within a short time, regain their health."
"It is true," said Petion, "the poor people lead a sad life in the
Temple, and are compelled to breathe the air that the last scions of
tyranny have contaminated with their poisonous breaths. We owe it to
them to release them from this bad atmosphere, in consideration of
their faithful and zealous service to the country. Citizen Simon has
always taken pains to repair the great neglect in Capet's education,
and to make the worthless boy prove some day a worthy son of the
republic."
"But even if Simon should remain in the Temple, he would not be able
to go on much longer with the education of the boy," said the
hospital director, with a shrug.
"What do you mean by that, citizen doctor?" asked Petion, with a
pleasant lighting up of his eyes.
"I mean that the boy has not a long time to live, for he is
suffering at once from consumption and softening of the brain, and
the latter disease will soon reduce him to an idiot, and render him
incapable of receiving instruction."
"You are convinced that the son of the tyrants will not recover?"
asked Petion, with a strained, eager glance.
"My careful examination of his case has convinced me that he has but
a short time to live, and that he will spend the larger part of this
time in an idiotic state.
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