"A friend of dumb animals is always a friend of humans," insisted Belle.
Dr. Robbins smiled. Her cure was already working, and, while her story was correct, the recital of it had done more for those girls than had any other attempted cure of their melancholy.
"Well, I cannot agree with you that one fond of animals—that is excessively fond—is always very fond of mankind," she said. "Still, in Leland's case, it was a curious mixture of both."
"He will become a great man," prophesied Hazel.
"If he does not kill himself in the trying," said the sister. "He came too near it in the fire. But suppose he should insist on—on digging sewers?"
"Oh, you could restrain him. That would be insane!" declared Bess.
"I don't know about that. Sewers have to be dug," contended Leland's sister.
"I wish we might meet him," ventured Bess. "I am sure he would be an inspiration."
Poor Bess! Always saying things backwards. He would be an inspiration—in digging sewers!
"Well, you may some day, if he ever consents to become civilized again," said Dr. Robbins. "You see, he may take to the lecture platform, but very likely the platform will be against his principles. He will want to shout from the housetops!"