"I guess the fates want to pile it up on
us."
"Say, is that 'Cornu batrachian' anything like a mountain lion?" asked
Bob.
"Wait," counseled Ned. "He explains. 'The Cornu batrachian,' he says,
'is what is commonly called a horned toad. I must get several fine
specimens, and I thought you boys might be making another trip, and
could go with me. I would be very glad of your company. Please let me
hear from you. My regards to Mrs. Slade.'"
"Well, wouldn't that tickle your teeth!" exclaimed Bob, more forcibly
than elegantly. "And we can't go!" he added with a groan.
"Think of the fun we'll miss by not being with Professor Snodgrass,"
went on Ned.
"And with the Seabury family," chimed in Jerry.
"It's tough!" exclaimed Ned. "And school opens Monday!"
At that moment there was a whistle out in the street and a ring at the
door bell.
"The postman again," said Ned. "I wonder what he wants?"
He went to the door.
"Here's a letter I forgot to give you," said the mailcarrier. "It got
out of place in my bundle, and I didn't discover it until I was quite
a way up the street."
"That's all right," answered Ned good-naturedly. "From the Board of
Education," he murmured, as he looked at the printing in the upper
left hand corner. "I wonder what they are writing to me about?"
He opened it and drew out a printed circular. As he re-entered the
room where his chums were he gave a cry of delight.
"Listen to this!" he called, and he read:
"'To the pupils of the Cresville Academy.
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