Malvina of Brittany. Jerome Klapka Jerome

would Malvina receive the proposal? Of course she would try to get out of it. A dear little thing. But could any sane man, professor of mathematics…

      Malvina was standing beside him. No one had remarked her entrance. The eyes of the twins had been glued upon the wise and learned Christopher. The Professor, when he was thinking, never saw anything. Still, it was rather startling.

      "We should never change what the good God has once fashioned," said Malvina. She spoke very gravely. The childishness seemed to have fallen from her.

      "You didn't always think so," said the Professor. It nettled the Professor that all idea of this being a good joke had departed with the sound of Malvina's voice. She had that way with her.

      She made a little gesture. It conveyed to the Professor that his remark had not been altogether in good taste.

      "I speak as one who has learned," said Malvina.

      "I beg your pardon," said the Professor. "I ought not to have said that."

      Malvina accepted the Professor's apology with a bow.

      "But this is something very different," continued the Professor. Quite another interest had taken hold of the Professor. It was easy enough to summon Dame Commonsense to one's aid when Malvina was not present. Before those strange eyes the good lady had a habit of sneaking away. Suppose – of course the idea was ridiculous, but suppose – something did happen! As a psychological experiment was not one justified? What was the beginning of all science but applied curiosity? Malvina might be able – and willing – to explain how it was done. That is, if anything did happen, which, of course, it wouldn't, and so much the better. This thing had got to be ended.

      "It would be using a gift not for one's own purposes, but to help others," urged the Professor.

      "You see," urged Victor, "mamma really wants to be changed."

      "And papa wants it too," urged Victoria.

      "It seems to me, if I may so express it," added the Professor, "that really it would be in the nature of making amends for – well, for – for our youthful follies," concluded the Professor a little nervously.