When they were quite done, Dick took it upon himself to say a few
things.

"I have thought it over," he announced, "and first of all I shall go
traveling."

"That will come afterward, my boy," Mr. Slocum explained soothingly.
"When--say--when you are ready to enter the university. At that time a
year abroad would be a very good thing... a very good thing indeed."

"Of course," Mr. Davidson volunteered quickly, having noted the
annoyed light in the lad's eyes and the unconscious firm-drawing and
setting of the lips, "of course, in the meantime you could do some
traveling, a limited amount of traveling, during your school
vacations. I am sure my fellow guardians will agree--under the proper
management and safeguarding, of course--that such bits of travel
sandwiched between your school-terms, would be advisable and
beneficial."

"How much did you say I am worth?" Dick asked with apparent
irrelevance.

"Twenty millions--at a most conservative estimate--that is about the
sum," Mr. Crockett answered promptly.

"Suppose I said right now that I wanted a hundred dollars!" Dick went
on.

"Why--er--ahem." Mr. Slocum looked about him for guidance.