5 June. The case of Renfield grows more interesting the more I get to understand the man. He has certain qualities very largely developed; selfishness, secrecy, and purpose.

I wish I could get at what is the objective of the latter. He seems to have some fixed scheme of his own, but what it is I do not know. His redeeming quality is a love of animals, though, indeed, he has such curious turns in it that I sometimes imagine he is abnormally cruel. His pets are of odd sorts.

Just now his hobby is catching flies. He has at present such a quantity that I have had myself to expostulate. To my astonishment, he did not break out into a fury, as I expected, but took the matter in simple seriousness. He thought for a moment, and then said, 'May I have three days? I shall clear them away.' Of course, I said that would do. I must watch him.

18 June. He has turned his mind now to spiders, and has got several very big fellows in a box. He keeps feeding them his flies, and the number of the latter is becoming visibly diminished, although he has used half his food in attracting more flies from outside to his room.

Vocabulary:

Latter: The last one mentioned. Here that is 'purpose'.
Scheme: Here this means 'plan'
Redeeming quality: Something good that makes up for the bad parts
Abnormally: Much more than usual
Expostulate: Complain about something
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