Crashaw lost no time in introducing the subject of "really peculiar urgency," but he rambled in his introduction. "You have probably forgotten," he said, "that last spring I had to bring a most horrible charge against a child called Victor Stott, who has since been living, practically, as I may say, under your ægis, that is, he has, at least, spent a greater part of his day, er--playing in your library at Challis Court." "Quite, quite; I remember perfectly," said Challis. "I made myself responsible for him up to a certain point. I gave him an occupation. It was intended, was it not, to divert his mind from speaking against religion to the yokels?" "Quite a character, if I may say so," put in Mr. Forman cheerfully. Crashaw was seated at his study table; the affair had something the effect of an examining magistrate taking the evidence of witnesses. "Yes, yes," he said testily; "I did ask your help, Mr. Challis, and I did, in a way, receive some assistance from you. That is, the child has to some extent been isolated by spending so much of his time at your house." "Has he broken out again?" asked Challis. "If I understand you to mean has the child been speaking openly on any subject connected with religion, I must say 'No,'" said Crashaw. "But he never attends any Sunday school, or place of worship; he has received no instruction in--er--any sacred subject, though I understand he is able to read; and his time is spent among books which, pardon me, would not, I suppose, be likely to give a serious turn to his thoughts." "Serious?" questioned Challis. "Perhaps I should say 'religious,'" replied Crashaw. "To me the two words are synonymous." Mr. Forman bowed his head slightly with an air of reverence, and nodded two or three times to express his perfect approval of the rector's sentiments. "You think the child's mind is being perverted by his intercourse with the books in the library where he--he--'plays' was your word, I believe?" "No, not altogether," replied Crashaw, drawing his eyebrows together. "We can hardly suppose that he is able at so tender an age to read, much less to understand, those works of philosophy and science which would produce an evil effect on his mind. I am willing to admit, since I, too, have had some training in scientific reading, that writers on those subjects are not easily understood even by the mature intelligence." "Then why, exactly, do you wish me to prohibit the child from coming to Challis Court?" "Possibly you have not realised that the child is now five years old?" said Crashaw with an air of conferring illumination. "Indeed! Yes. An age of some discretion, no doubt," returned Challis. "An age at which the State requires that he should receive the elements of education," continued Crashaw. "Eh?" said Challis. "Time he went to school," explained Mr. Forman. "I've been after him, you know. I'm the attendance officer for this district."