e," said Archibald. "But
perhaps you would like a copy of my son's book. It is but a small
volume, as you see." And Archibald pulled the parchment-bound,
deckle-edged booklet from his outer breast pocket. "Don't hesitate, my
dear sir, it will give me pleasure if you will accept it."

"You are most kind," said the Major. "I shall look forward to reading
it with the utmost pleasure."

"I am sure you will agree that only a genius could have written those
poems," said Archibald.

"I have no doubt but what I shall form a high opinion of your son's
gifts," said the Major.

"Being of a literary temperament myself," went on Archibald, "I
happily have been able to appreciate his. I do not want him to work
for money, and I have, therefore, put him on a sound financial basis.
So far, he appeals only to a very select section of the public. But he
has not written a line which he has not been inspired to write. As
regards the general public--I myself, in my humble way, have become
aware of the indifference and stupidity of the general public. When,
after thorough re-examination of every point of my mental position, I
try and speak plainly to such of my fellow-men as I have the
opportunity of addressing, I am met with an absolute want of
intelligent comprehension. However, I intend to say what I have to
say, and I am now at work on a volume, the nature of which you will
sufficiently gather from its title: 'Plain Thoughts of a Practical
Thinker--an attempt to investigate some questions of primary
importance that are usually shelved.'"

"An excellent idea, sir."

"To give you an example of the narrowness even of people who occupy a
high position in the social sphere, whenever I have ventured to assert
my sincere belief that children should be instructed in life by means
of competent handbooks instead of being allowed to pick up their
knowledge in a haphazard, more or less dangerous fashion, I have been
met with a frigid politeness, behind which the shocked disapproval was
but too manifest."

"Humph!" said the Major. "I must confess your proposition is certainly
a startling one."

"It is a common-sense one," said Archibald, curtly.

"Pardon me," said the Major, somewhat stiffly, "but I do think that in
the interests of morality and religion it would be exceedingly
unfortunate if your ideas were generally adopted."

"I am perfectly prepared to argue the point," said Archibald, drawing
himself up, whilst his eye flashed with