"
"Next year!" echoed the Professor testily. "The question is: Where
will you be next week?"
Dan staggered. The Professor, having long retired from active
practice, remembered with a qualm that he might have broken this
appalling news more considerately. He said quietly--
"I beg your pardon. I ought to have tempered this; but you are an
American, and strong enough at this moment to know the truth. I may
pull you through. Without boasting, there is not another man in
America, or Europe either, who would say as much."
"Christopher Columbus!"
"I don't call myself that," said the Professor modestly, "but I may
claim to have discovered pathogenic continents. Now, my boy"--he took
hold firmly of Dan's arm--"I am going to put you to bed."
"No, you ain't," said Dan. "I've chores to do. I can't be spared."
The Professor nodded.
"You're a stout fellow. After all, half-an-hour won't make any
material difference."
"In half-an-hour you'll find me in the bunk-house. I'm obligated to
ye," he added hastily. "So long!"
He strode off. The Professor nodded approvingly. He had grit himself,
and esteemed it highly in others.
Pages:
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228