Hamilton did not think it advisable to take Theobald back to Jacobstein Ray again; he felt that an antipathy had already grown up. But there were others engaged in telepathy research; he selected a crew and introduced Theobald to them. But he had formed a theory about the former failure; the methods used then had been the simple methods considered appropriate for young children. This time they told Theobald what they were attempting to do and started him out with tests intended for adults.
He could do it. It was as simple as that. There had been other cases equally clear cut, and the research leader cautioned Felix not to expect too much, as telepathically sensitive children tended to fade out in the talent-which Felix knew. But he could do it. Theobald, at least within the limits of the conditions, could read minds.
So Felix called Mordan again, told him again of what was on his mind. Did Mordan think that Theobald was a mutation?
“Mutation? No, I have no data to go on.”
“Why not?”
“‘Mutation’ is a technical term. It refers only to a new characteristic which can be inherited by Mendelian rules. I don’t know what this is. Suppose you find out for me first what telepathy is-then I’ll tell you whether or not Theobald can pass it on-say, about thirty years from now!”
Well, that could wait. It sufficed that Theobald was telepathic-at least for the present. The projected telepath gadget, which had derived from the Plutonian “Life Detector,” was beginning to show promise. It had been duplicated in the auxiliary cold laboratory beneath the outskirts of Buenos Aires and had performed in the same fashion as on Pluto. It had been greatly refined, once the researchers knew the direction in which they were driving, but it had presented grave difficulties.
One of the difficulties had been straightened out in a somewhat odd fashion. The machine, while responsive to sentient beings (it would not respond to plants, nor to animal life of low form), did little else-it was not a true telepath. There was a cat, of doubtful origin, which had made itself the lab mascot-moved in and taken possession. While the gadget was sensitized the operator had stepped back without looking and stepped on pussy’s tail. Pussy did not like it and said so.
But the technician acting as receiver had liked it even less; he had snatched off the headset, yelping. It had screamed at him, he alleged.
Further experimentation made it evident that the machine was especially sensitive to the thalamic storm aroused by any sudden violent emotion. Mere cool cerebration had much less effect on it. However, banging a man on the thumb did not count. The man expected it, and delayed his reaction, routing it through the “cooler” of the forebrain. The emotion had to be strong and authentic.
Many tails were stepped on thereafter; many cats sacrificed their temporary peace of mind to the cause of science.
Theobald developed a strange antipathy for his mother’s company during the period when she was expecting the arrival of his sister. It upset Phyllis; Felix tried to reason him out of it. “See here, sport,” he said, “hasn’t mama been good to you?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Then what’s the trouble? Why don’t you like her?”
“I like her all right…but I don’t like her.” He pointed and his meaning was unmistakable. Felix held a hurried whispered consultation with his wife. “How about it, Phil? I thought we hadn’t let him in on the news yet?”
“I haven’t”
“I didn’t-that’s sure. Do you suppose Claude-no, Claude wouldn’t spill it. Hmmm…well, there’s only one other way he could have found out…he found out for himself.” He looked at his son with a deeply wrinkled brow; it might not be too convenient, he was thinking, to have a telepathic member of the household. Well, it might wear off-it frequently did.
“We’ll have to play it as it lies. Theobald.”
“Wha’cha want?”
“Is it your little sister whom you don’t like?”
The boy scowled and indicated assent.
(“It’s probably nothing but natural jealousy. After all, he’s been the big show around here all his life.”) He turned again to his son. “Look here, sport-you don’t think that little sister will make any difference in how mama and daddy feel about you, do you?”