He therefore resolved to try and root out all these strange notions from Pierre's head. He soon felt a kind of ecstacy. It was a glorious thing to help bring about the time when science would sweep away all traces of ignorance.
If the theory of evolution was true, those times would come, so he decided to set to work at once upon this man.
It was a beginning, small perhaps, but he now believed in small beginnings.
He had not yet experienced what it is to try and convert a superstitious man.
It is very difficult to convince an ignorant person.
Having made up his mind to rescue Maît Pierre from his superstitions, Frank at once set to work.
So, the day following his decision, he advanced to the attack.
When they were both seated as usual having their after-dinner conversation, Frank began: "Do you really believe all you told me about the _feu bellanger_, Maît Pierre?"
Frank knew he did believe it, but he wanted to fix the conversation at once. "I'll tell you what this fire is," continued the young man; "it is a light which comes out of the soil, more especially in the marshy places. It is called 'Will-o'-the-Wisp' by some of the country folk in England, 'Jack-o'-Lantern' by others. The true name of this ignited gas is _ignis fatuus_."
The old man smiled. His look at Frank was one of pity. "What a poor young simple-minded, inexperienced person," he thought, and in the voice of a man quoting a passage from Horace he said aloud: "I have seen it on the top of a hill."
"It may be," answered Frank, and, seeing old Pierre's triumphant attitude, he added: "Do you not think that there is a Maker who watches over us? how foolish to think that he would let the evil one go about like that and drown people at his will----"
Pierre suddenly interrupted him: "And Job," he said.
"Oh! that was in the olden times," said Frank; "besides, it's poetic language, you must not take it so literally as you seem to do. Do you know what lies at the bottom of all these superstitions? Ignorance; nothing but the lack of education. Among men of knowledge, nothing of this sort is ever heard of. They do not believe in witches riding on broomsticks. Ah!" he added, seeing Pierre was getting excited; "you believe in witches too?"