VII + 

Volodya’s mother found him a second time with the shadows. + 

This time the bull’s head was a success, and he was delighted. He made the bull stretch out his neck, and the bull lowed. + 

His mother was less pleased. + 

“So this is how you are taking up your time,” she said reproachfully. + 

“For a little, mamma,” whispered Volodya, embarrassed. + 

“You might at least save this for a more suitable time,” his mother went on. “And you are no longer a little boy. Aren’t you ashamed to waste your time on such nonsense!” + 

“Mamma, dear, I shan’t do it again.” + 

But Volodya found it difficult to keep his promise. He enjoyed making shadows, and the desire to make them came to him often, especially during an uninteresting lesson. + 

This amusement occupied much of his time on some evenings and interfered with his lessons. He had to make up for it afterwards and to lose some sleep. How could he give up his amusement? + 

Volodya succeeded in evolving several new figures, and not by means of the fingers alone. These figures lived on the wall, and it even seemed to Volodya at times that they talked to him and entertained him. + 

But Volodya was a dreamer even before then. + 