opportunity not to be sneezed upon. No, no, indeed."

"How did you like the life at Oxford?" asked the Doctor.

"Oh, passably, passably," said Bumpo. "I liked it all except the
algebra and the shoes. The algebra hurt my head and the shoes
hurt my feet. I threw the shoes over a wall as soon as I got out
of the college quadrilateral this morning; and the algebra I am
happily forgetting very fast--I liked Cicero--Yes, I think
Cicero's fine--so simultaneous. By the way, they tell me his son
is rowing for our college next year--charming fellow."

The Doctor looked down at the black man's huge bare feet
thoughtfully a moment.

"Well," he said slowly, "there is something in what you say,
Bumpo, about getting education from the world as well as from the
college. And if you are really sure that you want to come, we
shall be delighted to have you. Because, to tell you the truth,
I think you are exactly the man we need."



THE SECOND CHAPTER

GOOD-BYE!

TWO days after that we had all in readiness for our departure.

On this voyage Jip begged so hard to be taken that the Doctor