Page:O que eu vi, o que nós veremos (1918).pdf/11

 heavier. I was then certain that Jules Verne was a great novelist...

I was in Paris when, on the eve of leaving for Brazil, I went with my father to visit an exhibition of machines at the now defunct "Palace of Industry". What was my surprise when I saw for the first time an oil engine, the strength of a horse, very compact and light, compared to the ones I knew, and? working! I stopped in front of it as if preached by fate. I was completely fascinated. My father, distracted, continued walking until, after a few steps, noticing my absence, came back and asked me what was wrong. I told him my admiration to see that engine working, and he answered me: "that's enough for today". Taking advantage of these words, I asked him for permission to do my studies in Paris. We continued our walk, and my father, as distracted, did not answer me. That same night, at the farewell dinner, when the family gathered, among us, two of my father's French cousins and his old schoolmates, he asked them to protect me, because he intended to