"Jove, Rog, doesn't that sound great!" exclaimed Ernest.
"When shall we plan to start?" asked Roger.
"Why not at once, so as to get the plant running by Spring, when the real heat comes on?" Austin looked from one eager face to the other.
"We both are teaching, you know," said Ernest. "I thought next June—"
"Next June!" shouted Roger. "This is the first of December, Dr. Austin. We'll have found substitutes and be ready to travel immediately after the Christmas recess."
Ernest winced. "That's crowding things! But—well, you're the boss of the expedition, Rog. I'll be with you."
"Fine!" Austin rubbed his hands together. "We'll start our purchase list now, eh?"
The concert, which had proceeded during the evening without interruption, now stopped abruptly, just as the clock struck ten.
"How about deferring that until to-morrow?" asked Roger. "I've a number of lists in my desk at the Science Building that will help us."
"That's a good idea," Austin rose as he spoke. "Will you both take dinner with me at the hotel to-morrow evening and we can give the evening to this?"