"But you didn’t answer me—you didn’t answer. You let me pound away—you let me hammer."
"I was engaged when you first rapped, sir," said Professor Gunn somewhat stiffly. "I was about to answer your knock."
"Ah-a!" rasped Professor Gooch. "You were about to answer! But you were in no hurry."
"You seem to be in a bad humor this morning, Professor Gooch. Is there anything wrong? Will you have a chair?"
"No; I won’t have a chair. Yes, there is something wrong. I have come to speak to you about it, sir."
"Very well."
"It’s not very well; it’s very bad," declared Professor Gooch, rapping on the floor with his cane and glaring at the head professor. "It’s a disgrace, I say! It’s all wrong! It’s a matter to which we must give our immediate attention."
"If there is anything so very bad that requires our attention it shall have it."
"Ah-a! I hope so—I hope so! I have seen it coming on for some time. I have on several occasions expressed myself as opposed to it. Now—now, sir, something must be done!"
"As yet I am not aware of what you are speaking. Will you kindly enlighten me?"