ning she took her husband's advice and found
that, as usual, he was right.

There was a good collection of books in the house and Martin was
allowed to pick and choose. John Berrisford suffered some anxiety from
the problem of free choice: he was not concerned about the boy's
morality; because he knew that no power in the world can alter human
nature. So when he noticed that Martin took down _Tom Jones_ and read
only a portion of it, and later on paid great heed to _The Sentimental
Journey_, he had the good sense to say nothing at all. What worried
him was the fear that Martin would read many really good things before
he was able to appreciate them and might thus be prevented or
prejudiced from reading them in after life. For instance, when Martin
struggled with Robert Louis Stevenson and called him dull, his uncle
knew well enough what was wrong. On the other hand, he dreaded
dictating a course of reading or advising the boy in any way, for he
knew the value of spontaneous selection and remembered the vivid
loathing which he himself had felt for 'advised' books and the infinite
lure of the forbidden fruit. So he discreetly held his peace, hoping
that Martin would be able to return to Stevenson without prejudice.

A few days before the end of the holidays the whole family went up to
town to see the theatres. Martin was old enough to appreciate the
pantomime and would have sat there till three in the morning readily.
He was bored by the interminable ballet and the garish medley of
flashing lights and countless colours which most of the audience liked
so much, but the comedians and the more humorous scenic effects he
found perfect. Besides, as a Public School boy and grown-up person, he
had to admire Robinson Crusoe when, in gleaming fur-trimmed tights, he,
or rather she, so irresistibly sang:

"Somebody wants me surely,
Some heart bleeds for mine."

No less fascinating was the comedienne with her: 'Cupid got a Bull that
Time,' and the comic man's triumph: 'There are Lots of Funny Things
about a Clothes-Line.'

At last the end came and Martin went to meet the special to Elfrey. He
was afraid that his uncle and aunt were making a great mistake in
proposing to see him off. He wondered whether it was done, whether you
could possibly appear on the platform surrounded by relations. As
usual his fears were not justified and he found the station full of
mothers and sisters. Everything went well, and as they