“Ha, ha! very good!” said Puffer, laughing heartily. “You will have your joke. However, I only mentioned this to explain why my salary was so large. Of course I shouldn’t expect nearly as much with you. If you paid my traveling expenses and a hundred dollars a month it would satisfy me. I am not expecting to save much in this my year of recreation.”
“I will consider your proposal. By the way, can you show me a catalogue of Harvard University with your name enrolled as professor?”
“I am really sorry, but I don’t happen to have a catalogue with me.”
“One of Cornell, where I understand you gave a course of lectures, will do.”
“I regret to say that I haven’t that either.”
“Of course I don’t doubt you, but it would be pleasant to have some confirmation of your statements.”
“My dear Mr. Cunningham, I hope you don’t doubt my word.”
“You know I have never met you before this morning. Perhaps you have some of the books you have published which you can show me.”
“I haven’t at present, but I may be able to pick one up in the London book stores.”
“Do so, and send it to me by messenger. I shall be too busy to see you for a week to come.”