n jars and jerks； so that
I know when one kneels； kicks； shakes something； sits down； or gets up。
Thus I follow to some extent the actions of people about me and the
changes of their postures。 Just now a thick； soft patter of bare； padded
feet and a slight jolt told me that my dog had jumped on the chair to
look out of the window。 I do not； however； allow him to go
uninvestigated； for occasionally I feel the same motion； and find him；
not on the chair； but trespassing on the sofa。
When a carpenter works in the house or in the barn near by； I know by
the slanting； up…and…down； toothed vibration； and the ringing concussion
of blow upon blow； that he is sawing or hammering。 If I am near enough；
a certain vibration； travelling back and forth along a wooden surface；
brings me the information that he is using a plane。
A slight flutter on the rug tells me that a breeze has blown my papers
off the table。 A round thump is a signal that a pencil has rolled on the
floor。 If a book falls； it gives a flat thud。 A wooden rap on the
balustrade announces that dinner is ready。 Many of these vibrations are
obliterated out of doors。 On a lawn or the road； I can feel only
running； stamping； and the rumble of wheels。
By placing my hand on a person's lips and throat； I gain an idea of many
specific vibrations； and interpret them： a boy's chuckle； a man's
〃Whew！〃 of surprise； the 〃Hem！〃 of annoyance or perplexity； the moan of
pain； a scream； a whisper； a rasp； a sob； a choke； and a gasp。 The
utterances of animals； though e……the cat's
purr； its mew； its angry； jerky； scolding spit； the dog's bow…wow of
warning or of joyou