strong as other fathers' sons. One of his darkest
miseries in the unhealthy morbid past days had
been his hatred of being a sickly weak-backed
boy whose father was afraid to look at him.

"He'll be obliged to believe them," he said.
"One of the things I am going to do, after the
Magic works and before I begin to make scientific
discoveries, is to be an athlete."

"We shall have thee takin' to boxin' in a week
or so," said Ben Weatherstaff. "Tha'lt end wi'
winnin' th' Belt an' bein' champion prize-fighter of
all England."

Colin fixed his eyes on him sternly.

"Weatherstaff," he said, "that is disrespectful.
You must not take liberties because you are in the
secret. However much the Magic works I shall
not be a prize-fighter. I shall be a Scientific Discoverer."

"Ax pardon -- ax pardon, sir," answered Ben,
touching his forehead in salute. "I ought to
have seed it wasn't a jokin' matter," but his eyes
twinkled and secretly he was immensely pleased.
He really did not mind being snubbed since the
snubbing meant that the lad was gaining strength
and spirit.

[[309]]

p308 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p309w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p310

v?