I'm living with you, and sort of belong to your house and
business, I shall be able to come with you next time you go on a
voyage."

"Oh, I see," said he, smiling. "So you want to come on a voyage
with me, do you?--Ah hah!"

"I want to go on all your voyages with you. It would be much
easier for you if you had someone to carry the butterfly-nets and
note-books. Wouldn't it now?"

For a long time the Doctor sat thinking, drumming on the desk
with his fingers, while I waited, terribly impatiently, to see
what he was going to say.

At last he shrugged his shoulders and stood up.

"Well, Stubbins," said he, "I'll come and talk it over with you
and your parents next Thursday. And--well, we'll see. We'll see.
Give your mother and father my compliments and thank them for
their invitation, will you?"

Then I tore home like the wind to tell my mother that the Doctor
had promised to come.



THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER

A TRAVELER ARRIVES