“Yes, I’m here; and I wish we were across. I dread the voyage.”
“Submarines?” asked Jerry.
“Oh, no, I wasn’t thinking of them,” answered the professor. “But I am anxious to get across, not only to begin my study of the effect of war noises on European insects, but to search for those two young ladies. I have been reading considerable about war conditions in France and Germany since Professor Petersen made me his part heir, 60 and I fear the young ladies may have a hard time.”
“Yes, they are very likely to,” assented Ned. “But until we get there we can’t do anything to help them. However, we’ll do our best for you and them when we do get there—if we have a chance—after getting a Hun or two,” he added.
“That’s right,” said Mr. Snodgrass. “The winning of the war is the first consideration. I wish I were young enough to fight. But I have contributed to the Red Cross, to the Salvation Army, the Knights of Columbus and the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A.; and I’ve mailed every magazine I finished reading and sent over all the books I could spare.”
The boys winked at one another. They gave full credit to Professor Snodgrass for his contributions to the five organizations, which, with the Jewish Welfare League, did so much to help win the war.
“But if the boys in camp over there had to depend for reading on the dry, scientific magazines and books the professor sent them they’d be hard put,” commented Jerry to his chums, afterward.
“Well, we’re moving, anyhow,” observed Bob, as he and the others noticed that tugs were backing the transport out into the river. “Now that we’re under way, don’t you think we’d better go and see about––” 61
“Grub!” finished Jerry, fairly taking the word out of Chunky’s mouth.
The stout lad glared a moment, and then said: