He early mastered its mere operation.

Sam Pickering felt fortified against the future.
Then it developed that though Dave Cowan could perform ably upon the instrument while it retained its health he was at a loss when it developed ailments; and to these it was prone, being a machine of temperament and airs, inclined to lose spirit, to sulk, even irritably to refuse all response to Dave's fingering of the keyboard.

Dave was sincerely startled when his son one day skillfully restored tone to the thing after it had disconcertingly rebelled.

Sam Pickering, on the point of wiring for the mechanic who had installed his treasure, looked upon the boy with awe as his sure hands wrought knowingly among the weirdest of its vitals.

Dave was impressed to utter lack of speech, and resumed work upon the again compliant affair without comment.