oress," said Panky, who had not opened his lips so far, "are you
sure that you are not too hasty in believing this stranger to be the
Sunchild? People are continually thinking that such and such another is
the Sunchild come down again from the sun's palace and going to and fro
among us. How many such stories, sometimes very plausibly told, have we
not had during the last twenty years? They never take root, and die out
of themselves as suddenly as they spring up. That the man is a poacher
can hardly be doubted; I thought so the moment I saw him; but I think I
can also prove to you that he is not a foreigner, and, therefore, that he
is not the Sunchild. He quoted the Sunchild's prayer with a corruption
that can have only reached him from an Erewhonian source--"

Here Hanky interrupted him somewhat brusquely. "The man, Panky," said
he, "was the Sunchild; and he was not a poacher, for he had no idea that
he was breaking the law; nevertheless, as you say, Sunchildism on the
brain has been a common form of mania for several years. Several persons
have even believed themselves to be the Sunchild. We must not forget
this, if it should get about that Higgs has been here."

Then, turning to Yram, he said sternly, "But come what may, your son must
take him to the Blue Pool at nightfall."

"Sir," said George, with perfect suavity, "you have spoken as though you
doubted my readiness to do my duty. Let me assure you very solemnly that
when the time comes for me to act, I shall act as duty may direct."

"I will answer for him," said Yram, with even more than her usual quick,
frank smile, "that he will fulfil his instructions to the letter,
unless," she added, "some black and white horses come down from heaven
and snatch poor Higgs out of his grasp. Such things have happened before
now."

"I should advise your son to shoot them if they do," said Hanky drily and
sub-defiantly.

Here the conversation closed; but it was useless trying to talk of
anything else, so the Professors asked Yram to excuse them if they
retired early, in view of the fact that they had a fatiguing day before
them. This excuse their hostess readily accepted.

"Do not let us talk any more now," said Yram as soon as they had left the
room. "It will be quite time enough when the dedication is over. But I
rather think the black and white horses will come."

"I think so too, my dear," said the Mayor laughing.

"They shall come," said George gravely;