"You don't say so, sir!" exclaimed the old man.
"Yes; sudden business. But I promised you, professor, that if ever I should go to Europe you should go with me, if you should please to do so. Now I will give you your choice. You shall attend me to Europe, or stay here and take care of my rooms while I am gone."
The professor's eyes fairly danced at the idea of crossing the mighty Atlantic and seeing glorious old Europe; but still he had sense of propriety and self-denial enough to say:
"I am willing to do that which will be of the most use to yourself, sir."
"Morris, you would be of great use to me in either position. If you should stay here, I should feel sure that my rooms were safe in the care of a faithful keeper."
"Then, sir, I prefer to stay."
"Yes, but stop a moment. If you should go with me, I should enjoy the trip much more. I should enjoy it myself and enjoy your enjoyment of it also. And, besides, it would be so pleasant to feel that I had an attached friend always with me."
"Then, Mr. Worth, as there is about as much to be said on one side as there is on the other, I'll do whichever you prefer."
"I greatly prefer that you should go with me, professor," said
Ishmael, who read the old man's eager desire to travel.
"Then I'll go, sir; and with the greatest of pleasure."