The learned gentleman seemed to be astonished, and bore the missive to his state-room.
CHAPTER IX.
TROUBLE ON BOARD THE JOSEPHINE.
Almost every one on board of the Josephine had a letter, and some had two or three. Paul had one from Grace, dated at Paris, in which she expressed a hope that, as she was to travel a few months with her father, she might see him in some of her wanderings. The young captain hoped so too, and he read the letter a second time. Probably he read it a third time after he went to his state-room, and a fourth before he retired; for boys of his age are apt to be enthusiastic in this direction.
Professor Stoute sat in the cabin. He had been all over Antwerp, and had walked a larger part of the distance than a man of his obesity could well endure in a warm day. Though he was very tired, he was very good-natured; indeed, thus far, nothing had ever occurred to disturb his equanimity. He was exceedingly popular with the boys, and if he had fallen overboard, every one of them would have jumped in after him. No one ever thought of disobeying him, and consequently he never had any trouble.
While he sat there fanning himself with a newspaper, Mr. Hamblin came out of his state-room with the huge envelope he had received in his hand. The learned gentleman looked perplexed; in fact, he always wore an anxious expression, as though he were in constant fear that somebody would infringe upon his dignity, or that some of the boys did not believe he was the wisest man since the days of Solomon. He always walked just so; he always sat just so; he always moved just so. He never was guilty of using a doubtful expression. He was stern, rigid, and precise, and from the beginning all the boys had disliked him; but since he had behaved so unreasonably in the squall, they could hardly endure him.
The lean professor walked up to the fat professor, and took a stand before him. He had removed the letter from the formidable envelope, and held it unfolded in his hand. He looked at the letter, and then at Mr. Stoute. The fat professor laughed, but the lean professor frowned. The jolly one knew just what the precise one wanted, but he waited patiently for the exordium.
"Mr. Stoute, may I trouble you?" he began, after he had put himself in proper position.
"Certainly, sir," replied the fat gentleman.