“I don’t see what you two are laughing about,” said Fred.
“It’s a good joke, Gilbert, isn’t it?” said the merchant.
“Yes, sir.”
“I don’t see any joke,” said Fred.
“Nor I,” said Laura.
“Perhaps the professor may be willing to help you, if you require it, Laura,” suggested her father.
“If he is such a man as Fred expects,” said Laura, “I would rather get along by myself.”
“It is hardly fair to take a prejudice against a person before you see him, Laura.”
“I won’t.”
“For my own part, I was favorably impressed by what I saw of him.”