Brave as a little bull-dog in other directions! Absolutely devoid of fear otherwise, and with a natural bent for fighting and adventure.

Climb anywhere, especially up the hind leg of a camel or a horse, fondle any strange dog, clamour to be put on any strange horse, go into any deep water, cheek anybody, bear any ordinary pain with a grin, thrill to any story of desperate deeds--a fine, brave, manly, hardy little chap, and with art extraordinary physique for strength and endurance.
Whatever was to be attempted later, he must be watched, day and night, now.

No unattended excursions into the compound, no uncensored picture-books, no juggling snake-charmers....

Yet it _must_ come, sooner or later.
Would it ruin his life?
Anyhow, he must never return to India when he grew up, or go to any snake-producing country, unless he could be cured.
Would it make him that awful thing--a coward?
Would it grow and wax till it dominated his mind--drive him mad?
Would succeeding attacks, following encounters with picture or reality, progressively increase in severity?
_Her_ boy in an asylum?
No.

He was exaggerating an almost expected consequence that might never be repeated--especially if the child were most carefully and gradually reintroduced to the present terror.