of touch I know the faces of friends； the illimitable
variety of straight and curved lines； all surfaces； the exuberance of
the soil； the delicate shapes of flowers； the noble forms of trees； and
the range of mighty winds。 Besides objects； surfaces； and atmospherical
changes； I perceive countless vibrations。 I derive much knowledge of
everyday matter from the jars and jolts which are to be felt everywhere
in the house。
Footsteps； I discover； vary tactually according to the age； the sex； and
the manners of the walker。 It is impossible to mistake a child's patter
for the tread of a grown person。 The step of the young man； strong and
free； differs from the heavy； sedate tread of the middle…aged； and from
the step of the old man； whose feet drag along the floor； or beat it
with slow； faltering accents。 On a bare floor a girl walks with a rapid；
elastic rhythm the graver step of the
elderly woman。 I have laughed over the creak of new shoes and the
clatter of a stout maid performing a jig in the kitchen。 One day； in the
dining…room of an hotel； a tactual dissonance arrested my attention。 I
sat still and listened with my feet。 I found that two waiters were
walking back and forth； but not with the same gait。 A band was playing；
and I could feel the music…waves along the floor。 One of the waiters
walked in time to the band； graceful and light； wh