The boys looked relieved, and cast an admiring glance at the old gentleman, who was continuing:
"Of course it was not sent to me on account of this latter inscription; it was sent to me merely because it was a palimpsest. But I wonder who indulged in all that scribbling?"
"We did," said the boys, in chorus.
Again the Professor appeared quite astonished, but not in the least angered. He listened to the story of how they found the screed in the old trunk in the attic, and commented upon this fact.
"So-so," he said. "I remember keeping that bit when I was in Turkey. I thought it blank, but a very aged sheet. Why did you send it to me?" he inquired.
"Oh, for a valentine," replied Todd.
"Well," said the Professor, smiling, "I'd give a great deal for another one." Then he paused. "There's a minstrel show in town to-night, boys," he added. "Let's go down to it."
[THE SEA-URCHIN.]
Strolling along the sea-shore at low tide probably many of you have noticed more or less numerous small circular excavations in the sand containing a dark substance, which at first glance might be taken for sea-weed deposited there by the retreating tide. Probably some of you have been tempted to a closer examination, and lifting one, quickly dropped it again, sorrier although not wiser, for this insignificant parcel of needles and pins has a most interesting history to tell.