Professor Gooch looked at him severely and continued in his droning voice:
“Of the general character and history of the Carthaginians, from the founding of the city down to the wars with Rome, less is known than of any other great nation of antiquity.”
“I’m glad to see you are so interested, Sir William,” whispered Ted, as Billy was dozing off again.
“Eh?” grunted Bradley, with another start.
“Er—er—hum!” snorted the professor, glaring at Billy over his spectacles, while Ted sat up very straight and looked supremely innocent and interested.
Billy was flustered and confused. He fancied the professor had asked him a question, and he retorted:
“Ya-as, ya-as, Hi quite hagree with you, sir.”
Whereupon there was a suppressed titter, and the professor, thinking Billy was trying to be “smart” and make sport, said:
“This, is a matter of history, young man, and it makes little difference whether you agree or not.”
“Hexcuse me!” gasped Billy, almost, collapsing.