"If I can secure a specimen of the rivoluta splendens," says Leonidas, "I shall gladly take any chances."
"Isn't the dear Professor just too heroic?" coos Mrs. Mumford. "It will be worth while going merely to see what a rivoluta splendens really is."
"We seem to be agreed," says Old Hickory, "and our company is made up. That is, with two exceptions."
"Great Scott!" I whispers to Vee. "Two more freaks to come!"
"Listen," says Vee. "Auntie is saying something."
So she is, a whole mouthful.
"My niece, Verona, will accompany me, of course," she announces.
"Well, ain't that rough!" says I. "Now what's the sense in draggin' you off down—"
"And I am obliged," breaks in Mr. Ellins, "to take with me, for purely business reasons, my private secretary. Mrs. Hemmingway, isn't the young man somewhere about the place?"
"Good night!" I gasps. "Me!"