The Professor's Little Mistake.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 247, 17 March 1888, Page 9

The Professor's Little Mistake.

That the professor was a great man he was I by stress of modesty forbidden to deny. His intimates and admirers in scientific circles never tired of saying so, and it would have savoured at once of presumption and ingratitude to contradict them. With humble wonderment at the extent and value of his own gifts he accep'ed the tribute, and acquiesced in the opinion. Those who had heard his lectures or read his books— chiefly concerned with "The Geology of the Future "—were surely in a better position to judge impartially than the deliverer of the one and writer of the other. They had both purchased and earned the right to decide. And for this reason he felt aggrieved on their behalf when a propel' reverence seemed lacking in a member of his own household. The delinquent was the professor's nephew, Howick Vine. This graceless youth's offences were multiplying. He not only Bhirked his golden opportunities of becoming learned in his uncle's chosen branch of science. He not only declined with thanks to read his uncle's new treatise "On Giant Earth-Waves," but he had the callous effrontery to remark, when pityingly remonstrated with, that for his part he didn't belong either to a past few billions of years behind, or to a future an odd billion or two ahead, that he was of the present, and cared more for living organisms that walked on thb earth to-day than for any quantity or sort of fossil relics. Professor Figgitt was 'acutely pained. Insult was added to injury. It was bad enough that after all the care lavished upon his boyhood, and the expense so cheerfully incurred for his education, Howick should decide for a commercial career in preference to qualifying for the succession to his uncle's chair. But to speak in this fashion, with contemptuous indifference of the studies which were all that made life worth living to the elder, argued a depth of depravity which made the professor shudder. The boy was an ingrate ; no pleasanter term would be a faithful description. To this end had come the dreams of moulding a mind to grapple with the thousand problems which the professor's own researches were preparing for the new generation. In adopting, sixteen years before, the orphan child of his only sister, and arranging his bachelor household accordingly, ab a cost of not a little inconvenience, the eminent soientiet, then just beginning to be talked of as a rising man, had had before him the idea of conferring upon . the M'orlli the boon of an experimenter trained from the outset in methods of patient exactness. It was at the break fast- table on a sunshiny April morning that Howiok committed the enormity just recorded. He was a presentable young fellow of three-and-twenty,,tall, stiffly built, with features handsome ,in • a homely style, and with honest brown eyes, that twinkled with some secret pleasure or amusement as he spoke. Indeed, the, expression of outrageous self-satisfaction uppn bis counten-« ance gaye — very innocently so far as 1 Howick waß concerned — a double Bting to his words.; , ,The professor construed it as a personal affront, and it increased his choler. It was lucky that the matutinal meal was at.an end. Bjit for.that fact there might have been an.,unseemly explosion of .wrath, -justifiable, bu£ yet \detraotipgYfrom the seniors dignity; at) jt.was,, he .bestowed, ppon- the .qbtuse .yoqng, "raqckpr, f ,4 'gtync*of withering commise.r ; atipn,;and in ( Bx)£nce that haughtily-^clined, controversy,? , rqse > , and. left the, ropm. . 4 f I, &r& afraid r,ve dis~-> , pleased , uncle,," , Howick , '.BaicJ, , to , shaky little' Afrs .plegg, the; "aged, (housekeeper, ,when,.the, pvpfesflpr'B,steps s had r^e,ated'to his library ;, ib; jTJjere/f h^ujie inJisguigmK Jrßhalljnej'erjmaJ&^llr, pry^gdust." „And; ihe finis.he& f wiSh; a.Mf-r.uejEuj JaugK . - .^ltis. Vipqst ,,u^% l <iU ( na^e,» w qua i vere^A?r^ s^legg* J

Whether she meant thus to describe Howick's laber statement or the former one did not appear. Howick Vine was entitled on some I grounds to rank as a philosopher, if he fled from the austere presence of science He decided that no gain could accrue from dwelling regretfully on a passage of arms ' which was over and gone. If he had shocked and vexed his uncle, lie had not done flo intentionally, and he was sincerely sorry. And the professor, once seated at his desk, would absolutely forget the incident. It was wisdom to obliterate it as quickly as he could from the slate of his own memory. It happened ; it was done with. So the young man took hib hat and sauntered away, whistling, across the lawn and down the miniature avenue to the garden gate, and into the high road. This was Ealing, and he had a good hour in which to roach his familiar corner in a City oifico He chose to walk to the station over the common, for a reason which was rather instinctive than confessed. He met a young lady leading by the mo*t ridicu lously disproportionate of cords (though, to be sure, she had a toy whip to match) a huge St. Bernard. Girl and canine companion made a striking picture of fragile feminine lovelinessandma&sive brute strength — Beauty and the Beast. Howick stopped as the dog bounded forward in friendly recognition, and drugged his mi «tress with him, panting, blushing, smiling. It was plain that the young people were. on a footing of frankest conn(ience, for neither a flee ted surpiise at the meeting. H3lO was the seciet of Howick's choice of route. "This beautiful spring weather tempts; one to be abroad early. Down, Lion ! down sir !" said the gill, speaking first, and feeling the heightened colour of her cheeks sweep upwards to her fair, broad brow and buffusc her ivory neck as she encountered Howick's glance of admiration. Pie enjoyed herpietty confusion. " Yes it is charming for coy, uncertain April," he answered. " Bull do not profe.-s to be an early riser on purpose to get the advantage of spring morning sights and sounds. It is business in my case. Though to moot you I would at any time strain a point. You know that, Valeric."' '* You have told me so before, Howick. I suppose I must believe you." There was utter faith painted upon her glowing face, whatever tho words and tone implied of latent scepticism. "No, no, Lion !" sho cried as the huge animal turned menacingly in the direction of a passing workman ; and her slight, sylphlike iigure seemed positively to dilate with the energy she put forth to restrain the restless pet. Valeric Tindell was glad of the excuse for action. Her lover — for such Howick was, if words and looks bore any meaning — waited till the stranger was out cf earshot. Then he resumed with another question. " When am Ito speak to your father?" he said. The great groy-blue eyes first drooped, and then flashed upward with a message of mischief. " You are a very impatient person, I take leave to inform you," Valeric answered; "it was only the evening before last that you got me to promise — I'm not quite sure now what I did say ; it is so long ago." The two laughed simultaneously. " That's a delicions contradiction in one and the same breath," said Howick, regaining a pretence of gravity; " but at least I re collect the main item in our conversation. You promised to be my wife. And it's only right and proper for me to apply to Major i Tindell." "ftight and proper, indeed!" ! Valeric echoed with a happy irony. *'It is well for you to talk in that style and be so careful on those points, Howick. Does Professor Figgitt know what you propose ? He ought to." , The young man was crestfallen. His argument had recoiled on bims-jK, and Valeric had but uttered the sentiment of his own inner consciousness. In a master that concernedhis— Howick's— wholefuture ifc was unfair to keep his uncle in the dark. " And I will tell him when next I get an opportunity," Howick replied. " I quite i agrea with you Valeric. He shall be in- ■ formed of all that it is due to hear. Ido not think he will object." "I will try to have a chat with papa this morning ; then, if all goes as we wish and anticipate, you shall see him for yourself," she said ' % Will that satisfy your impatience, Howick "/" 11 Quite." But the transgressor was in error in fancying that his rash speech would speedily be forgotten. It remained and rankled — fixed like a poisonous barb in the professor's memory. Over and over again that morning the blue pencil with which the famous man of science was correcting his proofs came to a standstill or described strange hieroglyphics on the blotting-pad. Its master's thoughts— phenomenal circumstance ! — were busy with other topics than those presented by tho printed matter ostensibly under his scrutiny. He was meditating neither on " Gianb EarthWaves " nor on the ludicrous blunders of a reckleßS compositor. The enigma he j wanted to solve was how to eumciently j punish his disrespectful nephew. And gradually he arrived at a momentous conclusion. j He would refuse to fulfil the young man's expectations of an advance of capital with which to purchase a junior partnership in the firm of Sales and Egerton. No actual engagement would be broken. Certain hints had undeniably been dropped of the probability of such aid at the end of the current financial year. And from youth onward to adolescence the boy had looked upon himself as his uncle's heir. But the professor was not in duty bound to translate idle day dreams into fact. He had been sorely disappointed in Howick, and he held that he was justified in, as he i soliloquised with a growl, " returning the compliment." To inform the young blockhead that he washed his hands of all concern for hie future would be a righteous and richly-deserved reward; There was another suggestion which curiously recurred even atter summary ! dismissal, and that brought a tinge of unwonted colour upon Professor Figgitt's salJow features. So persistent was it that it finally upset, the plan of along forenoon's I labour, and sent its victim to seek refuga in the society of a friend. The flight was jin vain, for within ten minutes Major Tindell had lent the apparent sanction of his counsel to the self-same prompting. He inquired after the health of Mrs Clegg. " It is exceedingly indifferent,' and Munroe — Muhroe, of Curzon Street, a clever physican—gives no hope of lasting improvement," the professor answered sorrowfully. "That's bad news for ike.' Mrs Clegg has lived withmeatßoseLodge for twelve yeajrs, • and the household machinery has' gone )ij?e plOckworlc." " Perhaps the substitute— whom you'll have to obtain, I suppose;^ ♦' Yes," with lugubrious sigh. "Mafw'^ong'tb a different) category to v thfct of, tjie ordinary" housekeeper- who drawn her 'qukrt&rly or yearly tfag'e." There wast a coniical $wirtkle;n theVmajor's eye as he 'spoiw- " l|l> " , ■; , "... : !rti ■ The professor fairly, ft&BsQd,^ n itQloBt for a second: his mental balance, and was, oddly ;ncoherentiin his reply. , tl V.Wh»t??,Ah, just" so ; somebody younger top, „ Pye think itft lifeetyor, advisable, Tinde}l £\ t ,f •As to {tie •lattefcits scarcely forsjne.to, offer .an opinion," \said* the, officer^ , w&th^a BiilUbroaaer ( ,BniUe

upon his weather-beaten face — a notable contrast in complexion to that of the fitudent. "As to the former query, I imagine it is likely- quite likely. " This want of serenity was sadly unproosHorial — the agitated visitor groaned at the thought. To get the better of " the wave of disturbance." as on the lines of his book he might have defined his trouble, he shifted the immediate subject of discussion rather neatly to his absent and reprobate nephew. " Ah, if my sister Cicely — Ilowick's mother — had Jived, the difficulty would not have occurred," he siid ; " and probably she would have exerted a muchneeded sway over her son, too. Ifc is reasonable to suppose so. I can do nothing with him." And ho told simply and concisely the di«mul tale of the morning scandal. Embellishment was quite unnecessary. To quote Ho wick's words in their naked atrociousnesd was to ensure the young man's condemnation. He was vexed and a little resentful that Major Tindell merely broke into a hearty guflaw. It was no laughing matter to the professor. "Ha, ha ! said that, did he, the young dog ! A pretty strong hint " "It is in keeping with much that has preceded it," retorted the other, sitting up stiffly in his chair. "I shouldn't wonder at all. Well, if what we are talking about comes to pa&&, our nephew and your house will, I presume, each obtain a mistress, and that is as it should be." The saying was oiacular, but Professor Figgitt Avas quick in fitting it with an interpretation. He was once more demoralised, and at the mercy of conflicting emotions. Con°cious of a secret quaking in heart and limb, he yet — greatly danng— leaned confidentially forwardand propounded two really crucial questions. " Your daughter Valeric — is there any hope that a suit for her hand would be successful ? Could you as an old and valued friend favour and support it ?" he hoarsely asked. "Is there any hope? I judge so — most certainly, and lam very pleased," answered the major, taken considerably aback by the nervous eagerness of the appeal. " Thanks — many thanks. I'm not cmite prepared to tee Mi=s Tindell now. Time presses, and I have a packet of proofs to get through. I think, by your leave, I'll write to her." The mystery was solved a few hours later* The eminent scientist returned, dressed in the faultless style he usually affected for a conversazione, and paler than if he had been about to lecture before the British Association. The Major and his wife were out He asked to see their daughter. Valeric received him with a pretty air of mingled shyness and gratitude. He plunged headlong into his confession. "I told your hither (hat l would communicate with you by letter," he said. "Perhaps Major Tindell mentioned it?' "He did, Mr Figgitt." Valeric was growing mystified in her turn. " Exactly. But then I altered my mind and decided to address you personally. I don't know that I should have had the courage either to speak or to write on such a topic if my esteemed friend, your father, had not given me solid reason to believe that ray petition would— v ould not be spurned. I take it he knows what is likely to be your verdict, Miss Tindell." Valeric might have been sitting as a model for a painting of Aurora at that instant, so rosy was she. Faintly she murmured an affirmative, not yet compre« hending the gist of the preposition to which she assented. "I am overcome by the honour you do me, Miss Tindell— Valeric, in listening to my suit,'' the professor resumed. "1 am not exactly a young man— that is an item indubitably against me ; as you well know, I am of studious | habits. Some girls— many— might object !to share so quiet a lot. But if 1 may hope | that you will give me your hand " "Stop— stop!" ciied Valeric wildly, as. the full horror of the situation dawned upon her. "There is a mistake. Papa and I both thought that you were speaking or— for Howick. I— l am engaged to Howick— to Mr Vine." The professor staggered to his feet. To what a depth of folly had he notpUmged, in spite of all his fame for wisdom ! He. sawas by a revealing lightning- flash, how yam had been the dream of a few short hours. This bright young creature could never be his wife. And, after all, at his age, and with his fixed and prosy habits, a continued bachelor-life was perhaps -was probably — best. But he gulped down hie chagrin at the gigantic blunder, and was at least swift and clever in covering his retreat. " Indeed ! You have surprised "me. We havo surprised each other," he said ; "and! earnestly apologise." "It is unnecessary. The fault is ours. We should have spoken." The professor was facing a secondary, but serious, problem. If he persisted in his determination to puni*h Howick, the engagement, thus startlingly announced, might be broken off through the change in the young man's prospects. And then the story would go abroad of his— the professor's— fiasco. It was better to change his purpose, and Becure silence. " I was about to dieown Howick, on account of a great number of offences of which I have conceived him guilty," ho said. "If now I revieo my intentions for your sake, and to prove that my apology is not an empty form, I must be permitted to make one condition— the major and you must respect the confidence, and consign tooblivion my little mistake." There was small difficulty in obtaining the promise. Even from Howick the secret was kept for eeveral years. Hi» wife only told him when his uncle, ab her laughing request, withdrew the embargoShe was glad to make an end of the tiny reserve. — Household Words.