Jack was reading Du Chaillu. He spent a good deal more time that night over Du Chaillu than over his Latin.
His mother and Bessy were seated by the fire, and presently he came over and turned his back to the grate, putting his hands behind him, with a swaggering way he had.
"I've got an idea, mother!" he said.
"I'm glad of that." said Bessy, under her breath. Mrs. Leigh shook her head at her.
"Well, my son?"
"Du Chaillu's in this country, you know?" Jack's face was red, and his voice like a trumpet, from excitement.
"I believe he is."
"Oh, I know it, ma'am! I saw in the paper he was lecturing in New York. And he's going back to Africa next fall. And I--I've made up my mind to go with him!"
Bessy stared.
"To Africa?" said Mrs. Leigh, folding her hem.