“How fortunate!” cried John Dolittle. “My old friend Bumpo! Well,
well!—He’s studying at Oxford, you know. How good of him to come all
this way to call on me!” And he tumbled up the ladder to greet his
visitor.
The strange black man seemed to be overcome with joy when the Doctor
appeared and shook him warmly by the hand.
“News reached me,” he said, “that you were about to sail upon a voyage.
I hastened to see you before your departure. I am sublimely ecstasied
that I did not miss you.”
“You very nearly did miss us,” said the Doctor. “As it happened, we
were delayed somewhat in getting the necessary number of men to sail
our boat. If it hadn’t been for that, we would have been gone three
days ago.”
“How many men does your ship’s company yet require?” asked Bumpo.
“Only one,” said the Doctor—“But it is so hard to find the right one.”
“Methinks I detect something of the finger of Destination in this,”
said Bumpo. “How would I do?”
“Splendidly,” said the Doctor. “But what about your studies? You can’t
very well just go off and leave your university career to take care of
itself, you know.”
“I need a holiday,” said Bumpo. “Even had I not gone with you, I
intended at the end of this term to take a three-months’ absconsion—But
besides, I shall not be neglecting my edification if I accompany you.
Before I left Jolliginki my august father, the King, told me to be
sure and travel plenty. You are a man of great studiosity. To see the
world in your company is an 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_