“No,” said his uncle; “I have business to attend to on another route.”
“But, papa,” expostulated Johnny, “we want to see the great clock in the Strasbourg Cathedral.”
“It will be impossible for me to go,” Mr. Van Rasseulger said, very decidedly; but seeing that both the boys were greatly disappointed, he added, “If you could be a sober boy, Johnny, I might trust you alone with Eric, and you might go to Switzerland by the Strasbourg route, meeting me at Lucerne.”
“By ourselves? O, how jolly!” Johnny exclaimed, turning a somersault upon the floor.
“But the question is, my boy, Can I trust you?”
“O, papa!”
“I will consider it, John. I can trust Eric, but your inclinations are apt to be rather unsteady.”
That was certainly true, for Johnny’s inclination just then was, back parallel with the floor, heels at a right angle with his head.
“But I think I will try you,” continued his father. “I shall put you under Eric’s care, and require you to obey and refer to him. You may start to-morrow morning, which will give you time to spend a day and night at Strasbourg, and to meet me at Lucerne, on the evening of the day after to-morrow.”
“Hurrah! hurrah!” screamed Johnny, leaping to his feet, “hurrah for Strasbourg and its wonderful clock! Three cheers for—Good gracious!”