“I have been engaged by him as his traveling companion.”
To say that Professor Puffer was surprised would be too mild. He was absolutely overwhelmed with astonishment. He could not believe it.
“This must be a falsehood,” he returned after a pause.
“You can stay here and inquire of Mr. Cunningham if you like.”
“I will,” said Puffer sternly. “I will let him know in that case that you are under my guardianship, and that I will not permit you to accept the preposterous engagement. You, a traveling companion!”
Bernard was not quite withered by the professor’s disdainful tone. Secure in the attachment of Walter Cunningham, all fear of his quondam guardian had disappeared.
“You forget, Professor Puffer, that I was your companion,” he said with a smile. “If I was fit to be your companion, I am certainly fit to be his.”
“You were not my companion. You were my ward. You are my ward still, and when I leave this place you must go too.”
“Would you take away Mr. Cunningham’s traveling companion?”
“He will have no trouble in obtaining a better one. But I don’t believe you have been engaged. He would have no use for a child.”