"We are moving straight for Washington," said the Professor, consulting a map in his hand, "and at this speed we shall not be far from it at bedtime to-night."
"We can prepare ourselves for a grand reception," remarked Denison. "The good people of L——r gave us an earnest of what we may expect."
"It is rather pleasant to be lionized, but we shall be obliged to draw the lines somewhere," said Dr. Jones.
"We can always retreat to Silver Cloud when tired of being interviewed, wined, and dined," interposed Will.
"Let's plant another flagstaff at the South Pole, Doctor," cried Mattie. "I never feel so well as when afloat upon this boundless sea."
"Well done, Mattie," returned the Doctor, patting her on the head. "What a bold little navigator you have grown to be! And boundless sea is quite poetic, too. But as to starting immediately for the South Pole, I do not think we can do so. Perhaps we may, however, and you can rest assured that this sort of life suits me amazingly. I shall favor sailing for the South Pole at the earliest practicable moment."
"One thing is certain, and that is, that if we are to be the first to reach the South Pole, we cannot put the expedition off too long," said Will. "Others will imitate us and get there before us if we give them time. We must sail within a few weeks at farthest."
"That is true," assented Dr. Jones. "But let us see what Sing has for breakfast."
So they entered the dining-room and ate with appetites known to but few terrestrials. And why shouldn't they? Their sanitary environments were perfect; their minds were free from all worldly cares. Ennui and monotony were entirely unknown aboard Silver Cloud, because of the constantly changing panorama of land and sea. There were no heartaches nor burning envies among them, for all were pure-minded and lived as God's children should live the world over. Why shouldn't they be plump and pure and clean, inside and out? "We have all outgrown our clothes," as Dr. Jones expressed it.
It was a busy day aboard ship. The whole country was on the lookout for them. The Doctor lowered to within five or six hundred feet of the earth, and the cries of the multitudes that gathered in every town and country corner continually rang in their ears.