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9. The Second Journey

By this time you will have gained a fair idea of Rob's character. He is, in

truth, a typical American boy, possessing an average intelligence not yet

regulated by the balance-wheel of experience. The mysteries of electricity

were so attractive to his eager nature that he had devoted considerable

time and some study to electrical experiment; but his study was the

superficial kind that seeks to master only such details as may be

required at the moment. Moreover, he was full of boyish recklessness

and irresponsibility and therefore difficult to impress with the dignity of

science and the gravity of human existence. Life, to him, was a great

theater wherein he saw himself the most interesting if not the most

important actor, and so enjoyed the play with unbounded enthusiasm.

Aside from the extraordinary accident which had forced the Electrical

Demon into this life, Rob may be considered one of those youngsters who

might possibly develop into a brilliant manhood or enter upon an

ordinary, humdrum existence, as Fate should determine. Just at

present he had no thought beyond the passing hour, nor would he

bother himself by attempting to look ahead or plan for the future.

Yet the importance of his electrical possessions and the stern injunction

of the Demon to use them wisely had rendered the boy more thoughtful

than at any previous time during his brief life, and he became so

preoccupied at the dinner table that his father and mother cast many

anxious looks in his direction.

Of course Rob was anxious to test his newly-acquired powers, and

decided to lose no time in starting upon another journey. But he said

nothing to any of the family about it, fearing to meet with opposition.

He passed the evening in the sitting-room, in company with his father

and mother and sisters, and even controlled his impatience to the extent

of playing a game of carom with Nell; but he grew so nervous and

impatient at last that his sister gave up the game in disgust and left him

to his own amusement.

At one time he thought of putting on the electric spectacles and seeing

what the real character of each member of his family might be; but a

sudden fear took possession of him that he might regret the act forever

afterward. They were his nearest and dearest friends on earth, and in

The Master Key