CHAPTER XIV.

MR. LAGUNE'S POINT OF VIEW.

For three days the Laboratory at South Kensington saw nothing of Lagune, and then he came back more invincibly voluble than ever. Everyone had expected him to return apostate, but he brought back an invigorated faith, a propaganda unashamed. From some source he had derived strength and conviction afresh. Even the rhetorical Smithers availed nothing. There was a joined battle over the insufficient tea-cups, and the elderly young assistant demonstrator hovered on the verge of the discussion, rejoicing, it is supposed, over the entanglements of Smithers. For at the outset Smithers displayed an overweening confidence and civility, and at the end his ears were red and his finer manners lost to him.

Lewisham, it was remarked by Miss Heydinger, made but a poor figure in this discussion. Once or twice he seemed about to address Lagune, and thought better of it with the words upon his lips.

Lagune's treatment of the exposure was light and vigorous. "The man Chaffery," he said, "has made a clean breast of it. His point of view--"

"Facts are facts," said Smithers.

"A fact is a synthesis of impressions," said Lagune; "but that you will learn when you are older. The thing is that we were at cross purposes. I told Chaffery you were beginners. He treated you as beginners--arranged a demonstration."

"It _was_ a demonstration," said Smithers.

"Precisely. If it had not been for your interruptions ..."

"Ah!"

"He forged elementary effects ..."

"You can't but admit that."

Now, provide a numbered list of answers to these questions:

1. where is the laboratory?
2. how long was Lagune gone?
3. was he expected back in good spirits?
4. how did he return?
5. what was fresh?
6. strength from?
7. what was wrong with the teacups
8. who commented about Lweisham?
9. did she think he came out of things well?
10. did he say anything?
11. did he look like he might?
12. but what happened?
13. who made a clean breast of it?
14. Smithers thinks facts are?
15. Lagune thinks the same?
16. what does he say?
17. was there a misunderstanding?
18. who forged something?
19. what did he forge?
1. South Kensington
2. three days
3. unknown
4. with an invigorated faith, a propaganda unashamed.
5. conviction
6. some source
7. they were insufficient
8. Miss Heydinger
9. unknown
10. no
11. yes
12. he thought better of it
13. The man Chaffery,
14. facts
15. no
16. A fact is a synthesis of impressions
17. yes
18. Chaffery
19. elementary effects