“I hope you are successful,” answered Ned’s father. “I have often wondered, when looking at the collection of insects in a museum, how they got so many different kinds. Now I understand. It is due to the efforts of such men as you.”
Jerry arose from his chair. The light of excitement gleamed in his eyes.
“What! Not that rare pink butterfly?” cried the professor, showing great interest.
“No, but a plan. Let’s go to Florida in the _Dartaway_. It will be a fine trip. We’ll take you with us, Professor. There’s lots of room.”
For a moment no one spoke. Jerry stood up looking from his chums to the professor, and then to Mr. Slade.
“I would like nothing better than to go with you boys,” Mr. Snodgrass answered. “When can you start?”
“To-morrow!” cried Ned. “That’s a fine idea, Jerry! That beats drawing papers from a hat. Florida it is! What do you say, Bob?”
“Couldn’t be better. I always was fond of oranges and cocoanuts.”
“Then we’re off for the everglades!” exclaimed Ned, beginning to do a dance around the room. “Can we go, father?”
“Well, I presume it’s no use saying no, so I may as well consent,” answered Mr. Slade. “But I guess it will take you longer than until to-morrow to get ready.”
“We can start next week,” put in Jerry. “That will suit the professor.”
“Excellent,” spoke the scientist, as he began creeping up on an unsuspecting June bug that was crawling on the table.
“That settles it!” remarked Ned. “Now let’s get a geography and lay out a line of march.”
“Is my son here?” asked a woman’s voice, and the boys looked up to see Jerry’s mother and Mrs. Slade standing in the library door.
“Here I am,” replied Jerry. “What is it, mother?”
“I was calling in this neighborhood,” went on Mrs. Hopkins. “I knew you were here and I thought I’d step in and ask you to take me home.”
“Of course I will, mother. We were just planning another cruise.”
“You’re always doing that,” said Mrs. Hopkins with a sigh. “I can’t see why you boys don’t stay home one vacation.”
“We want to see the world,” declared Ned. “This time we are going to Florida.”
“Florida?” asked Mrs. Hopkins as if surprised.
“Oh, I suppose that place is as safe as any. I was just thinking of something,” Mrs. Hopkins went on. “I once bought some land in Florida, but after I got the deed I received word that the property was practically worthless and I never did anything about it. I have the old deed home now.”
