Almost immediately, Dr. Downie said, "And
now, Mr, Higgs, tell us, as a man of the world, what we are to do about
Sunchildism?"
My father smiled at this. "You know, my dear sir, as well as I do, that
the proper thing would be to put me back in prison, and keep me there
till you can send me down to the capital. You should eat your oaths of
this morning, as I would eat mine; tell every one here who I am; let them
see that my hair has been dyed; get all who knew me when I was here
before to come and see me; appoint an unimpeachable committee to examine
the record of my marks and measurements, and compare it with those of my
own body. You should let me be seen in every town at which I lodged on
my way down, and tell people that you had made a mistake. When you get
to the capital, hand me over to the King's tender mercies and say that
our oaths were only taken this morning to prevent a ferment in the town.
I will play my part very willingly. The King can only kill me, and I
should die like a gentleman."
"They will not do it," said George quietly to my father, "and I am glad
of it."
He was right. "This," said Dr. Downie, "is a counsel of perfection.
Things have gone too far, and we are flesh and blood. What would those
who in your country come nearest to us Musical Bank Managers do, if they
found they had made such a mistake as we have, and dared not own it?"
"Do not ask me," said my father; "the story is too long, and too
terrible.
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