"Hav'n't got no house," said Dan, not quite comprehending, but sadly frightened. "Me and Mame expected to build next year, but that's off."
"Next year!" echoed the Professor testily. "The question is: Where will you be next week?"
Dan staggered. The Professor, having long retired from active practice, remembered with a qualm that he might have broken this appalling news more considerately. He said quietly--
"I beg your pardon. I ought to have tempered this; but you are an American, and strong enough at this moment to know the truth. I may pull you through. Without boasting, there is not another man in America, or Europe either, who would say as much."
"Christopher Columbus!"
"I don't call myself that," said the Professor modestly, "but I may claim to have discovered pathogenic continents. Now, my boy"--he took hold firmly of Dan's arm--"I am going to put you to bed."
"No, you ain't," said Dan. "I've chores to do. I can't be spared."
The Professor nodded.
"You're a stout fellow. After all, half-an-hour won't make any material difference."
"In half-an-hour you'll find me in the bunk-house. I'm obligated to ye," he added hastily. "So long!"