"Yes, sah. It suah do."

"Then why didn't you say so?"

"I did, perfesser."

"Well, perhaps you thought so. Washington has a very peculiar
habit of using big words, just because they sound so imposing,"
went on the professor. "He spends all his spare time consulting
the dictionary."

"I have noticed it," remarked Mr. Roumann, smiling.

"Well, suppose we go out to supper?" went on Mr. Henderson. "You
boys must be hungry."

"I can eat," admitted Jack.

"You'll get stouter if you do," warned Mark with a smile.

"Can't help it. Wait until we get to Mars."

"Oh, yes, you didn't finish telling us how we were to get there,
Mr. Roumann," said Jack.

"I'll tell you while we're at supper," said the scientist. "I
confess that Washington's announcement came just at the right
time. I am very hungry."