“I don’t want to be so no more,” retorted the man energetically. “If any more of the nasty flies gets on me I’ll—I’ll smash ’em—that’s what I’ll do.”
“Please don’t,” begged the professor. “They are too valuable to kill. Save them for me.”
“Were you looking for us?” asked Jerry.
“I was,” replied Professor Snodgrass. “I happened to be in this part of the country, searching for a new variety of tree-toad I have heard about, and having a few hours to spare I called at your house, Jerry. Your mother was not at home, but the girl said you and your chums were down camping in this lot. Seems to me you have chosen rather a public place to go camping. And why you have such a large tent is more than I can imagine.”
“We’re not camping, professor.”
“No? What are you doing, then?”
“We’re building an airship.”
“Building—an—airship!”
The professor’s voice indicated his astonishment.