Mr. Cane motioned to a chair and cleared his throat. "Seward," he began--
And at that moment the boy's memory performed a queer prank. It flashed back to the day in Sunday School when he and his little classmate had heard for the first time of his nickname-sake Tubalcain, the ancient artificer in brass; to his anger when the name was combined with Seward and made into Subal Cane; to his relief when it was worn down by use into Sube Cane; and finally it got round to the apprehension that now seized him whenever he was called by his own baptismal name--and he squirmed in the chair as his father went on in a tone that was alarmingly gentle.
"--you are twelve years old. You are at the portal of manhood. You are old enough to take a little pride in your personal appearance, and your personal--ah--your personal--well, you should be careful never to permit yourself to become in any way offensive to others. You should take pride in keeping sweet and clean. Now, my son, you got into something this morning that has made you very distasteful company for man or beast. Have you any idea what it is?"
As Mr. Cane resumed the vigorous puffing of his cigar, Sube's heart gave a leap; his father hadn't recognized the smell! His mustache was safe!
"Why," the boy romanced easily, "if you mean the linimunt I put on my leg, I know what _that_ is."
"Great heavens!" his father burst out. "Do you mean to say that you intentionally contaminated yourself with any such evil-smelling stuff as that?"
Sube quailed before his father's accusing stare and his more accusing gestures. "I guess I hurt it, didn't I?" he mumbled defensively. "And didn't I have to put some'pm on it? And that was the only linimunt--"
"Liniment!" snorted Mr. Cane. "Where did you ever get any such 'liniment' as that?"
"Sir?-- Why, out of a bottle," Sube managed to squirm out at last.
"Out of a bottle, eh? Well, bring me the bottle!"
Sube half started for the door, then halted. "I can't," he whimpered.
"'Cause I dropped it and broke it," Sube faltered.
Mr. Cane was obviously relieved. "Oh, well," he said, "if that's the case, never mind. But just as soon as one hour has elapsed I want you to take a good hot bath. Now don't forget it!"