Very early in his holiday term of coaching the Professor has to submit to some cross-examination from Lionel on the subject of the Atom. "Where is it?—that wonderful little First Atom, which, without knowing in the least what it was about, and with nobody to guide it, and having no reason, judgment, sight, or sense of its own, produced such beautiful creations? And then, if you are able to tell me where it is, will you also tell me where it came from?"
It appears that Lionel has imbibed atheistic principles not only from his father, but from a former tutor, and he is determined to thrash the matter out with the Professor, whom he takes to be the cleverest man in the world. The Professor's replies, however, are unsatisfactory, and Lionel goes on wondering.
The work continues, and he grows yet wearier. Manfully he struggles to accomplish his allotted tasks, each effort sapping his strength still further and adding to the pains which fill his head and drive sleep from his tired eyes. The Professor, acting according to orders, continues to grind the young brains to powder.
At last the crisis arrives. Under dishonorable circumstances Lionel's mother leaves her husband: over-work, sorrow, too little exercise—all these
