Astounding Science Fiction, October 1950 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

NEW FOUNDATIONS to promise I won’t ask them to send you to the school?” “Yes, that’s it.” “I give you my word. I won’t even men- tion the possibility.” “Then come.” The doctor was there within half an hour, and the formalities of his introduc- tion were soon completed. “I represent,” said Dr. Welles, “a school for superior children which is being started on the West Coast.” “We could not think of sending Jay away,’ said Mrs. Curtis. “I was not going to ask you to do so,” said Dr. Welles. “I have another request to make. I have come to ask you to help us there in teaching the children.” “You must be aware that I have lost my sight,” replied Mr. Curtis, “and have done no teaching for many years. I re- tired from that profession in order to devote full time to writing historical works, some years before my sight failed.” “T realize that, sir. But hear me out. The children I am gathering for the school are of extraordinary brilliance. Although scarcely in their teens, they have written . many books and earned fame as inventors and the like, under aliases. I can prove every word I say. What we require of our teachers is a sympathy with the gifted child, and a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share with the children. They are eager to learn; you would merely be expected to talk with them for an hour or two a day. Let me ask you, are you familiar with the name of James Vernon Worth?” “Why, yes. His books have been read to me by my wife. But he is not a child, surely?” “He is your son Jay.” And then Peter told them the whole story. Their incredulity was soon over- come, the situation made clear and evi- dence presented—chief of all the evidence of Jay himself. “But, you rascal,” protested his guar- dian, “when I read the first book which you say is yours, I dictated a letter to you to be sent to the author!” “Yes, uncle,” said Jay, “and it made me mighty proud, too.” “lm not sure whether I ought to be proud of you, or whether you played me a shabby trick,” said Mr. Curtis. “You ought to be very proud,” said Peter Welles. “It was not an unwillingness — 21 to confide in you, or that he meant to deprive you of the pleasure of knowing what he had done. These children do not wish or need assistance, any more than- any adult author—if as much. We must never betray their pen names. ‘Their achievements must be kept in hiding, under aliases. But they do need to learn history as you can teach it, and I have come here daring to hope that you will do for these other. youngsters what you have done for Jay.” “J made him promise he wouldn’t ask you to let me go,” said Jay. “But please, if you do go, may I go with you?” “The whole thing is immensely appeal- ing,’ said Mr. Curtis, “but I hardly like to consider trying to teach again—” “Of course you'll do it, John,” said his wife firmly. “You can write books as well there as here. We haven't taken root in this town forever, have we? And Jay must be with those other youngsters, but he won't go without us. Salary doesn’t matter —there needn’t be any. I'll teach languages, . too, if you like; ’m a good linguist. We want to have a big share in this wonder- ful thing, don’t we, John?” “Yes, we do,” said Mr. Curtis. “And thank you very much for the invitation, Dr. Welles.” So that, thought Peter as the plane sped him homeward, was that. The expense of . the special trip was well repaid. He had Jay, and he had two fine teachers besides. He could start out the next month to in- terview more prospects, without any nag- ging worries about either Jay or Stella. More problems would arise, but they could be solved in their turn. Everything was under control. Peter could relax. ‘He slept. THE END MAGAZINES AND BOOKS of Science-Fiction The Weird The Unknown Catalogue Free We Buy Magazines and Books of Weird, Fantastic and Scientific Fiction. Send List of Items for disposal. S-F SERVICE (Dept. A), 68 VICTORIA STREET LIVERPOOL, 1 10/-— Sample Packet 10/- —Conmicbhoalk (S@)