“Approve of it, ma’am? To be sure, I do. The very thing. Asia Minor, didn’t you say, Mr Preston?”
The professor bowed.
“Yes; I’ve heard that you get summer weather there in winter. I think you have hit the right nail on the head.”
“And you approve of it, sir?” cried the boy excitedly.
“To be sure, I do, my lad.”
“It will kill him,” said Mrs Dunn emphatically.
“Tchah! stuff and nonsense, ma’am!” cried the lawyer. “The boy’s too young and tough to kill. We’ll take him out there and make a man of him.”
“We, sir?” exclaimed the professor.
“Yes, sir, we,” said the lawyer, taking some more snuff, and dusting his black waistcoat. “Hang it all! Do you think you are the only man in England who wants a holiday?”
“I beg your pardon,” said the professor mildly; “of course not.”