“That was the time,” Don answered. “We don’t expect to run down any bandits this summer, but we may take a cruise.”
“That is fine,” said the professor, somewhat absent-mindedly. “So you two boys were interested in what I told you of Ned’s letter, eh?”
“We couldn’t help being,” grinned Jim. “I guess every fellow is interested in treasure hunting.”
“I suppose that is true,” the professor returned. “Well, that is the contents of the letter which made me so interested that I paid very little attention to the ball as it broke the window.”
“I’m sorry about that, professor,” said Don. “How much is it, please? I’m very anxious to have it repaired.”
“Forget it,” said the professor.
But Don insisted, feeling that it would not rightly do to accept the professor’s generous offer to put it in himself, and at length the teacher agreed that Don should pay for the work. He rather admired Don’s spirit in insisting upon paying his own way through life, and although he knew that the Mercer brothers had plenty of ready money he allowed Don to pay for the broken glass more as a concession to his spirit of the right thing to do than for any other reason. After Don had turned over the money to the professor the boys took their leave.
“Thanks for that interesting story, Professor Scott,” said Jim, as they were leaving.
“Yes, we enjoyed it,” added Don.
“You are very welcome,” smiled the professor. “I thought you would be interested, and may—be—humph, well, let that pass for now. Good morning, boys.”