McKinstry wondered vaguely at the little Doctor's curious interest in
the Gurneys, but went on with his torpid, slow answers.
"That eldest girl, I believe, Grey. Cow there, you see, and ducks. He's
popular, old Father Gurney. People have a liking for his queer ways,
help him collect specimens for his cabinet; the boys bring him birds to
stuff, and snakes. If it hadn't been for the troubles breaking out,
he was on the eve of a most im-por-tant discovery,--the crater of an
exhausted volcano in Virginia." McKinstry lowered his voice cautiously.
"Fact, Sir. In Mercer County. But the guerrillas interfered with his
researches."
"I think it probable. So he stuffs birds, does he?" Blecker's lips
closing tighter.
"And keeps the snakes in alcohol. There are shelves in Miss Lizzy's room
quite full of them. That lower room it was, but Joseph has taken it for
a study. She has the upper one for her flowers and her father's birds."
"And Grey, and the twins, and the four boys bedaubed with molasses, and
the dog, and the cooking?"
"Stowed away somewhere," the Captain mildly responded.
Dr. Blecker was testy.
"You know Joseph, her brother? I mean our candidate for Congress next
term?"
"Yes. Democratic. J. Schuyler Gurney,--give him his name, Mac.
Republican last winter.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154