“Suppose you be my guests until then. I’ll be only too glad to have you. In the meantime we can be discussing the coming expedition.”
“We’d sort of hate to do that,” Bob said. “It will mean a lot of trouble to you.”
“Forget it! I’ll be only too glad to have you.”
“Well, all right, if you——” Joe began.
“We’ll call it settled,” Mr. Wallace said. “And now, since my day is practically over, we may as well go to the house. That is, if you’re ready.”
“We’re ready any time,” Bob told him.
The three went outside, to a place where the naturalist’s automobile was parked. All got inside and drove through the city till they came to a beautiful suburb.
“Here’s my place,” said Mr. Wallace, pointing to a large house of rather costly design.
Inside, the youths were introduced to Mrs. Wallace, who made them feel perfectly at home.
“I hate to see Mr. Wallace leave on an expedition,” she said, “but I can appreciate his interest in science. In fact, I have often wished I could accompany him. Be a sort of Mrs. Martin Johnson, you know.”