Kanker, 'but not for me. I care only for
truth, and I don't choose to be warmed by anything I don't believe in.
That is the reason I carry a sun-umbrella. Well, will you let me have
your book?'

'It is no more use to me,' said Oscar, gloomily. 'I do not care
whether you take it or not, or what becomes of it.'

'You will find my arithmetic much more useful,' returned Kanker. 'Come
outside and see me make my fire.'

But Oscar turned sullenly away.

Kanker went outside the cottage, with the book in his arms. After a
moment, Oscar could not help going to the window to see what was being
done.

Kanker had laid the book across two stones, and had gathered some bits
of driftwood from the shore for kindlings to put underneath. Now he
struck a match, and held it to the kindlings. But at that there was a
sudden and mighty sound, like thunder, and also like a great voice
speaking some solemn and awful word. And the book seemed to dissolve,
and in its place arose a tall pillar of light, more dazzling than the
lightning, which hung for a moment near the earth, and, to Oscar's
amazed eyes, took on the likeness of a glorious and majestic figure,
which bent upon him a look that made his heart tremble. Then the
figure moved away through the air seaward, casting a radiance across
the waters, and making the sun look red and dim. It drifted slowly
away over the sea, and at last became as a bright star, further and
further off, until it vanished in the depths of the sky. Then a great
coldness fell upon Oscar, and the daylight became dusky to him, as if
it were already evening; and he knew that the dazzling face which he
had seen was the face of his father. Now he understood what the book
had been; but it was too late.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SECRET OF THE WAVES.

It seemed to Oscar that many hours passed away while he remained
crouched down on his knees in a dark corner, shivering and miserable.
At last he looked up. It was evening, and a bitter wind was blowing
outside; heavy clouds were driving across the sky, and rain was
beating on the roof. Kanker was sitting in the middle of the room,
with his chin upon his hands, staring at him.

'You had better go,' Oscar said. 'What other harm do you want to do
me?'

'It is you who have done harm to me,' replied Kanker, 'by giving me a
box of gunpowder to make a fire with. The explosion has cracked my
spectacles. However, I bear no malice. What do you keep that jar of
sea-water fo