Content warning. This episode contains medical ableism. Dr. Seward's Diary, 19 July. We are progressing. my friend has now a whole colony of sparrows and his flies and spiders are almost obliterated when i came in he ran to me and said he wanted to ask me a great favour a very very great favour, and as he spoke he fawned on me like a dog. I asked him what it was, and he said, with a sort of rapture in his voice and bearing, A kitten! A nice little sleek playful kitten that I can play with!
And teach. And feed. And feed. And feed. I was not unprepared for the request, for I had noticed how his pets went on increasing in size and vivacity. but I did not care that his pretty family of tame sparrows should be wiped out in the same manner as the flies and the spiders. So I said I would see about it, and asked him if he would not rather have a cat than a kitten.
His eagerness betrayed him as he answered. Yes, I would like a cat. I only ask for a kitten unless you should refuse me a cat. No one would refuse me a kitten, would they? I shook my head and said that... At present I feared it would not be possible, but that I would see about it. His face fell, and I could see a warning of danger in it.
for there was a sudden, fierce, sidelong look which meant killing. The man is an undeveloped homicidal maniac. I shall test him with his present craving and see how it will work out. Then I shall know more. 10pm. I have visited him again and found him sitting in a corner brooding. When I came in, he threw himself on his knees before me and implored me to let him have a cat, that his salvation depended upon it. I was firm, however, and told him that he could not have it.
whereupon he went without a word and sat down, gnawing his fingers in the corner where I had found him. I shall see him in the morning, early.