"
"I guess I'd better pay him," said Jerry, and settled with the
Celestial, who drove slowly off.
"Now come right in!" exclaimed Ponto. "I were-- I were jest thinkin'
out dar on dat bench-- yais, sah, I were thinkin', an' fust thing I
knowed I was 'sleep. It's a turrible sleepy country, dat's what 'tis,
fer a fact. I'se gittin' in turrible lazy habits sence I come heah.
But come on in. Massa Seabury, he'll be powerful glad t' see yo'.
So'll th' young ladies. Dey was sayin' only las' night, dat it seemed
laik dem boys nevah goin' t' come. But heah yo' be! Yais, sah, I were
jest thinkin' out on dat bench--"
But Panto's rambling talk was suddenly interrupted by a glad cry from
the shrubbery. Then there came a rush of skirts, and the boys saw
three girls running toward them.
"Here they are, dad!" called Nellie. "Here are the boys and Professor
Snodgrass! Oh, we're so glad you came! Welcome to 'The Next Day'!
That's what we've christened our bungalow, in honor of this lazy
country. Come on in," and she ran up to Jerry, holding out her hands.
CHAPTER XI
AFTER HORNED TOADS
OLIVIA and Rose, as had Nellie, warmly welcomed the boys and Professor
Snodgrass, and, Mr. Seabury coming up a moment later, from his usual
stroll about the garden, added his greetings.
"We're very glad to see you," said the gentleman. "Come right in and
make yourselves comfortable. We have more room than we had on the
houseboat Wanderer. I'll have your baggage-- where is that black
rascal, Ponto?-- Ponto!"
"Yais, sah, I'se coming," called a voice, and Ponto who had gone back
to the gate appeared, rubbing his eyes.
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