"I had much rather see you out—of the door."
"I see you are skeptical—you doubt the practical and practicable value of my invention. But you shall be convinced—you shall be my fellow passenger on my first voyage through space."
"Not if I know myself!" shouted the little man. "You may be a fool, but——"
"There are others, sir—there are others. I beg you to grant me this favor. Think what an honor it will be to have it go abroad that you accompanied Professor Septemas Scudmore on his first voyage in his new airship."
"Oh, you make me very languid!" cried the little man, using a bit of slang which he had heard from the lips of one of his youthful companions.
"I am shocked—shocked beyond measure," declared the lank professor, sinking his chin upon his bosom and looking reproachfully over his spectacles at Scotch.
The three boys were enjoying this immensely. It was sport to Frank, who saw in Septemas Scudmore a character worth studying. Barney laughed heartily.
"Begorra!" cried the Irish lad, "it's shocked we all are. Th' profissor has gone crazy, sure."
"If I have, it is not surprising, after what I have passed through. It has been enough to drive any man insane."
"I fancy you are a person whose brain would not stand a severe strain," put in Scudmore.