My nameoh! its SlaggJim Slagg; James when you wants to be respeckfulSlagg when familiar. Im the son o Jim Slagg, senior. Who he was the son of is best known to them as understands the science of jinnylology. But it dont much matter, for we all runs back to Adam an Eve somehow. They called me after father, of course; but to make a distinction they calls him Jimmybein more respeckful-like,and me Jim. It aint a name much to boast of, but I wouldnt change it with you, young feller, though Robert aint a bad name neither. Its pretty well-known, you see, an thats somethin. Then, its bin bore by great men. Let me thinkwasnt there a Robert the Great once?
I fear not, said Robin; he is yet in the womb of Time.
Ah, well, no matter; but there should have bin a Robert the Great before now. Anyhow, there was Robert the Brucehe was a king, warnt he, an a skull-cracker? Then there was Robert Stephenson, the great engineerhes livin yet; an there was Robert thethe Devil, but I raither fear he must have bin a bad un, he must, so we wont count him. Of course, they gave you another name, for short; ah, Robin! I thought so. Well, that aint a bad name neither. There was Robin Hood, you know, what drawd the long-bow a deal better than the worst penny-a-liner as ever mended a quill. An there was a Robin Goodfellow, though I dont rightly remember who he was exactly.
One of Shakespeares characters, interposed Robin.
Jus sowell, he couldnt have bin a bad fellow, you know. Then, as to your other name, Wrightthats all right, you know, and might have bin writer if youd taken to the quill or the law. Anyhow, as long as youre Wright, of course you cant be wrongeh, young feller?
Jim Slagg was so tickled with this sudden sally that he laughed, and in so doing shut his little eyes, and opened an enormous mouth, fully furnished with an unbroken set of splendid teeth.
Thus pleasantly did Robin while away the time with his future shipmate until he arrived at the end of his journey, when he parted from Jim Slagg and was met by Ebenezer Smith.
That energetic electrician, instead of at once taking him on board the Great Eastern, took him to a small inn, where he gave him his tea and put him through a rather severe electrical examination, out of which our anxious hero emerged with credit.
Youll do, Robin, said his examiner, who was a free-and-easy yet kindly electrician, but you want instruction in many things.
Indeed I do, sir, said Robin, for I have had no regular education in the science, but I hope, if you direct me what to study, that I shall improve.
No doubt you will, my boy. Meanwhile, as the big ship wont be ready to start for some time, I want you to go to the works of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, see the making of the cable, learn all you can, and write me a careful account of all that you see, and all that you think about it.
Robin could not repress a smile.
Why, boy, what are you laughing at? demanded Mr Smith, somewhat sternly.
Robin blushed deep scarlet as he replied
Pardon me, sir, but you said I am to write down all that I think about it.
Well, what then?
IIm afraid, sir, stammered Robin, that if I write down all I think about the Atlantic Cable, as well as all that I see, I shall require a very long time indeed, and a pretty large volume.
Mr Smith gazed at our hero for some time with uplifted brows, then he shook his head slowly and frowned, then he nodded it slightly and smiled. After that he laughed, or rather chuckled, and said
Well, you may go now, and do what I have told youonly omitting most of what you think. A small portion of that will suffice! Dont hurry back. Go home and make a fair copy of your observations and thoughts. Ill write when I require you. Stayyour address? Ah! I have it in my note-book. Whats your first name, Mister Wright?
Robin grew two inches taller, or more, on the spot; he had never been called Mister before, except in jest!
Robert, sir, he replied.
Robertha! hm! Ill call you Bob. I never could stand ceremony, so youll accustom yourself to the new name as quickly as you canbut perhaps its not new to you?
Please, sir, Ive been used to Robin; if you have no objection, I should
No objectionof course not, interrupted Mr Smith; Robin will do quite as well, though a little longer; but thats no matter. Good-bye, Robin, andanddont think too hard. It sometimes hurts digestion; good-bye.
Well, what dee think of Ebbysneezer Smith, my electrical toolip? asked Jim Slagg, whom Robin encountered again at the station. Hes a wiry subject, I spose, like the rest of em?
Hes a very pleasant gentleman, answered Robin warmly.
Oh, of coorse he is. All the Smiths are somore or less. Theyre a glorious family. I knows at least half a dozen of em in what superfine people call the slums of London.
And I know more than half a dozen of em, retorted Robin, somewhat sharply, in what unrefined people call the haristocracy of London.
Whew! whistled Mister Slagg, gazing at Robin in silent surprise.
What the whistle implied was not explained at that time, because the locomotive whistle took up the tune with intense violence, causing a rush to the train, in which the two ladslike many other friendswere abruptly parted for a season.
Chapter Six.
Tells of our Heros Visit to the Great Cable
Robin Wright returned home with a bounding heart. Since his electrical appointment he had become, figuratively speaking, an indiarubber balla sort of human squash. His heart bounded; his feet bounded; if his head had fallen off, it also would have bounded, no doubt.
On arriving he found his fathers elder brothera retired sea-captain of the merchant serviceon a visit to the family.
There was not a more favourite uncle in the kingdom than uncle Rikthus had his name of Richard been abbreviated by the Wright family. Uncle Rik was an old bachelor and as bald as a babymore so than many babies. He was good-humoured and liberal-hearted, but a settled unbeliever in the worlds progress. He idolised the good old times, and quite pleasantly scorned the present.
So, so, Robin, he said, grasping our hero by both hands (and uncle Riks grasp was no joke), youre goin in for batteriesgalvanic batteries an wires, are you? Well, lad, I always thought you more or less of a fool, but I never thought you such a born idiot as that comes to.
Yes, uncle, said Robin, with a pleasant laugh, for he was used to the old captains plain language, Im going to be an electrician.
Bah! pooh!an electrician! exclaimed uncle Rik with vehemence, as well set up for a magician at once.
Indeed he wont be far short of that, said Mrs Wright, who was seated at the tea-table with her husband and Madgeat least, she added, if all be true that we hear of this wonderful science.
If only half of it be true, interjected Mr Wright.
But it aint true, said Captain Rik firmly. They talk a deal of stuff about it, more than nine-tenths of which is liespure fable. I dont believe in electricity; more than that, I dont believe in steam. Batteries and boilers are both bosh!