"Appleton, Victor - Tom Swift Sr 020 - Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders" - читать интересную книгу автора (Appleton Victor)

determination than had yet appeared.

``He never mentioned you,'' went on Professor Bumper; ``yet the last
time I saw him I said I was coming to see you, though I did not tell him
why.''

``No, he wouldn't be likely to speak of me,'' said Tom significantly.

``Well, if that's all settled, I guess I'll go back home and pack
up,'' said Mr. Damon, making a move to depart.

``There's no special rush,'' Tom said. ``We won't leave for a week. I
can't get ready in much less time than that.''

``Bless my socks! I know that,'' ejaculated Mr. Damon. ``But if I get
my things packed I can go to a hotel to stay while my wife is away. She
might take a notion to come home unexpectedly, and, though she is a dear,
good soul, she doesn't altogether approve of my going off on these wild
trips with you, Tom Swift. But if I get all packed, and clear out, she
can't find me and she can't hold me back. She is visiting her mother now. I
can send her a wire from Kurzon after I get there.''

``I don't believe the telegraph there is working,"

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laughed Professor Bumper. ``But suit yourself. I must go back to New York
to arrange for the goods we'll have to take with us. In a week, Tom, we'll
start.''

``You must stay to dinner,'' Tom said. ``You can't get a train now
anyhow, and father wants to meet you again. He's pretty well, considering
his age. And he's much better I verily believe since I said I'd turn over
to him the task of finishing the stabilizer. He likes to work.''

``We'll stay and take the night train back,'' agreed Mr. Damon. ``It
will be like old times, Tom,'' he went on, ``traveling off together into
the wilds. Central America is pretty wild, isn't it?'' he asked, as if in
fear of being disappointed! on that score.

``Oh, it's wild enough to suit any one,'' answered Professor Bumper.

``Well, now to settle a few details,'' observed Tom. ``Ned, what is
the situation as regards the financial affairs of my father and myself?
Nothing will come to grief if we go away, will there?''

``I guess not, Tom. But are you going to take your father with you?''

``No, of course not.''