"I do, indeed," Elmer said. "It will destroy one of Grossmann's most vital premisses. This prodigy of yours—he is unquestionably a prodigy—demonstrates the fact of an immense progressive variation. Once that is conceded, the main argument of Grossmann's 'Heredity' is invalidated. We shall have knocked away the keystone of his mechanistic theory of evolution...."
"But suppose that the boy refuses...."
"He did not refuse to see us."
"That was to save himself from further trouble."
"But isn't he susceptible to argument?"
"Not the kind of argument you have been using to me," Challis said gravely.
Elmer blew like a porpoise; looked very thoughtful for a moment, and then said:
"You could represent Grossmann as the final court of appeal—the High Lord Muck-a-muck of the L.E.A."
"I should have to do something of the sort," Challis admitted, and continued with a spurt of temper. "But understand, Elmer, I don't do it again; no, not to save the reputation of the Royal Society."