CHAPTER X

“THE MIGHTY ATOM” AND “BOY”

Novels with a Purpose--The Criminally Mistaken Up-bringing of Children--Lionel Valliscourt an Eleven-year-old Atheist--The Cramming Process and its Effect on him--His Breakdown and Holiday--His Return to find that Little Jessamine is Dead--His Grief and Pathetic End--The Power of a Book like “The Mighty Atom” to _Teach_.

“Boy”--A somewhat Similar Work--The Responsibilities of Parents--“Boy’s” Childhood--His Neglected Condition--Miss Letty and the Major--“Boy” goes to School--The Change Wrought in him--His Entirely _blasé_ Demeanor at sixteen--“Boy” Guilty of Drunkenness and Fraud--His Final Reformation and Death 192