Astounding Science Fiction (British edition) — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

102 fortingly, and only gradually let you know the terrible truth. “I thought so,” Ames said with finality. “‘And as with many one-child families, you’ve spoiled him. Spoiled him so dreadfully that now you must take stern measures.” ““He’s all I’ve got, doctor,”’ she said hesitantly. “*All the more reason why you want him to grow up into a strong, solid man. A man such as your husband, for example. A child is a peculiar little entity, Mrs. Carter. The more atten- tion you give him, the more he wants.” He continued the development of his theme inexorably. ‘Their bodies can be little, but their egos can be enormous. They learn little tricks for getting attention. And then they add to these with others. They’re insatiable little monsters. They never get enough. Once they get you under their thumb, they’ll ride you to death. They’ll try anything, anything at all to get special attention, constant attention. That’s what has happened to your Joey.” “Vm not sure [_ understand, doctor.” “Well, Mrs. Carter, to put it bluntly. Joey has been pretending, telling lies, deliberately keeping you worried and fearful so that you will give him more attention. He hasn’t been able to fool his father so well, so in line with Oedipus Complex, he set about to win you away from his father, to come between you. Your husband is a fine man, a good worker ; but your son wants to make you turn against your husband so he will get all of your attention.” He was enjoying the development of his logic, sparing no impact upon her. “And it could be bad for the boy. Too much attention is like too much candy. It makes them sick.’ He pulled an ancient trick upon her, de- liberately confusing her to impress her ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION with the gravity, and his knowledge. “If this continues, the boy could easily become a catatonic schizo- phreniac!” Joey’s mother shrank back, her eyes opening wide. The horror of the un- known was worse than the reality might be. “What is that, doctor?” The doctor, ratified by her reac- tion, pulled another ancient one. “Well. ..er... without the proper background ...er... well, in layman’s language, Mrs. Carter, we might roughly define it as an incurable form of insanity.” “Oh no, no! Not my Joey!” The doctor leaned back in his chair. In this changing world of thought anarchy, it was good to see there were some who still retained the proper re- spect, placed the proper value upon | the words of a man of science. These flip kids he got in his classes these days; this younger generation! With- out respect, that flip kid he’d had to get expelled. ‘Just give us the facts, doctor, and let us draw our own conclusions. Yours haven’t worked so well.” Yes, it was gratifying to see there were still some who recognized a man of position. “But you can prevent it, Mrs. Carter.” He leaned forward again. “Joey is eight, now. No longer a baby. It is time he began to be a little man. He plays hooky from school, says the teachers don’t like him. Why, Mrs. Carter, when I was eight, I got up be- fore daylight, did my farm chores without complaint, and walked two miles through the snow for the won- derful privilege of going to school! “Now here is what you must do. You must regard this just as you would a medical prescription; with full knowledge of the penalty if you do not use the prescription: You must stop Cconmicloooks.c© im 7