CHAPTER XIV. SOME OF THE PASSENGERS.
Bernard had always cherished high respect for literary men and professors, though it must be confessed that he did not venerate Professor Snowdon. To find Professor Puffer an inebriate was certainly a shock to him. Still, he remembered that Burns had been intemperate, and that Byron loved gin, and that in spite of his taste for whisky Professor Puffer might be a learned man.
The next day the professor was sober, partly, perhaps, because his supply of drink had given out. Bernard resolved to get better acquainted with him.
“Professor Puffer,” he said, after breakfast, “I am ready to begin work whenever you please.”
“All right! Have you been seasick?”
“No, sir.”
“I thought perhaps for the first three or four days you might be affected.”
“I thought so, too, as I am not used to the sea, but I haven’t had any trouble yet, so that I can go to work any time you desire.”
“I shan’t undertake to do any work on the ship, Mr.—— what is your name?”