The Son of Tarzan | Page 9

far in your restrictive
measures. His love for animals--his desire, for example, to see this
trained ape--is only natural in a healthy, normal boy of his age. Just
because he wants to see Ajax is no indication that he would wish to
marry an ape, and even should he, far be it from you Jane to have the
right to cry `shame!'" and John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, put an arm
about his wife, laughing good-naturedly down into her upturned face
before he bent his head and kissed her. Then, more seriously, he
continued: "You have never told Jack anything concerning my early
life, nor have you permitted me to, and in this I think that you have
made a mistake. Had I been able to tell him of the experiences of
Tarzan of the Apes I could doubtless have taken much of the glamour
and romance from jungle life that naturally surrounds it in the minds of
those who have had no experience of it. He might then have profited by
my experience, but now, should the jungle lust ever claim him, he will
have nothing to guide him but his own impulses, and I know how
powerful these may be in the wrong direction at times."
But Lady Greystoke only shook her head as she had a hundred other
times when the subject had claimed her attention in the past.
"No, John," she insisted, "I shall never give my consent to the
implanting in Jack's mind of any suggestion of the savage life which we

both wish to preserve him from."
It was evening before the subject was again referred to and then it was
raised by Jack himself. He had been sitting, curled in a large chair,
reading, when he suddenly looked up and addressed his father.
"Why," he asked, coming directly to the point, "can't I go and see
Ajax?"
"Your mother does not approve," replied his father.
"Do you?"
"That is not the question," evaded Lord Greystoke. "It is enough that
your mother objects."
"I am going to see him," announced the boy, after a few moments of
thoughtful silence. "I am not different from Willie Grimsby, or any
other of the fellows who have been to see him. It did not harm them
and it will not harm me. I could go without telling you; but I would not
do that. So I tell you now, beforehand, that I am going to see Ajax."
There was nothing disrespectful or defiant in the boy's tone or manner.
His was merely a dispassionate statement of facts. His father could
scarce repress either a smile or a show of the admiration he felt for the
manly course his son had pursued.
"I admire your candor, Jack," he said. "Permit me to be candid, as well.
If you go to see Ajax without permission, I shall punish you. I have
never inflicted corporal punishment upon you, but I warn you that
should you disobey your mother's wishes in this instance, I shall."
"Yes, sir," replied the boy; and then: "I shall tell you, sir, when I have
been to see Ajax."
Mr. Moore's room was next to that of his youthful charge, and it was
the tutor's custom to have a look into the boy's each evening as the
former was about to retire. This evening he was particularly careful not

to neglect his duty, for he had just come from a conference with the
boy's father and mother in which it had been impressed upon him that
he must exercise the greatest care to prevent Jack visiting the music
hall where Ajax was being shown. So, when he opened the boy's door
at about half after nine, he was greatly excited, though not entirely
surprised to find the future Lord Greystoke fully dressed for the street
and about to crawl from his open bed room window.
Mr. Moore made a rapid spring across the apartment; but the waste of
energy was unnecessary, for when the boy heard him within the
chamber and realized that he had been discovered he turned back as
though to relinquish his planned adventure.
"Where were you going?" panted the excited Mr. Moore.
"I am going to see Ajax," replied the boy, quietly.
"I am astonished," cried Mr. Moore; but a moment later he was
infinitely more astonished, for the boy, approaching close to him,
suddenly seized him about the waist, lifted him from his feet and threw
him face downward upon the bed, shoving his face deep into a soft
pillow.
"Be quiet," admonished the victor, "or I'll choke you."
Mr. Moore struggled; but his efforts were in vain. Whatever else
Tarzan of the Apes may or may not have handed down to his son he
had at least bequeathed him almost as marvelous a