"There is no such insect as a doodle bug."

"Isn't there? How do you know? Are you personally acquainted with
all the insect families?"

"Certainly. That's my business. I'm a scientist."

"Oh, gracious! And I've appealed to you in a matter of sentiment!
I might better have stuck to Fitz. Poor Fitz! I wonder if he's
lost."

"Why should he be lost?"

"Because I lost him. Back there on the trail. Purposely. I sent
him for water and then--I skipped."

"Oh-h-h! Then HE'S the goose."

"Goose! Preston Fairfax Fitz--"

"Yes, the goose you said 'Boo!' to, you know."

"Of course. You didn't steal his hat, did you?"

"No. It's my own hat. Why did you run away from him?"

"He bored me. When people bore me, I always run away. I'm
beginning to feel quite fugitive this very minute."

There was silence below, a silence that piqued the girl.