“Ah!” murmured Bob.
“It’s the supper he’s thinking of, not the talk,” said Ned to Jerry.
[CHAPTER X]
A COOL RECEPTION
Professor Snodgrass had said his was a roomy house, and so it was as regards the house itself. But there was not much room in it, as the boys soon saw, for even the hall was filled with boxes, cases and other receptacles for holding what Ned, Bob and Jerry rightly guessed to be specimens of bugs, butterflies and other objects dear to the heart of the enthusiastic scientist.
“Make yourselves right at home, boys,” urged the professor, as they went in. He put away his butterfly net and the specimen box he carried over his shoulder, and then called:
“Mrs. Gilcuddy! Mrs. Gilcuddy!”
“Yes, yes! What is it?” asked a voice from the kitchen.
“We will have company to supper, Mrs. Gilcuddy,” went on the professor. “Put on three extra plates.”