Part 19 (2/2)

”And will be true enough,” said Yaspard. ”Only there is more in it than that.”

”We shan't mind telling your uncle all about it,” Tom replied, ”if you don't think it will make a row.”

”There won't be any need to tell him at present, and he is bound to hear it from Mr. Neeven. These two have long confabs every day, and I just believe--for I've sometimes heard bits of their talk--that they don't talk science so much as all about the pranks they played when they were boys. You wouldn't think it, to look at him, but Aunt Osla says Mr. Neeven was an awful boy.”

It was hard to imagine the serious scientist and the melancholy recluse two restless mischievous boys. The irreverent young rascals amused themselves till they reached the _Laulie_ with fancy sketches of the two gentlemen (when they were known merely as Brus and Gaun) getting into all sorts of ridiculous pickles, until Harry checked the nonsensical chatter by remarking, ”Every man is a boy first, and has to be a bit of a donkey, with the tricks of a monkey, till he grows up and gets sense. I hope we will all grow up with half the brains in our noddles that these two have got.”

Bill Mitch.e.l.l had scarcely spoken a word since the time they were discovered, but now he said very solemnly, ”He's full of brains, that man! but I'd rather be more empty-headed, and less like a katyogle[3]

that's been sitting on a stone all day with a dozen of undigested sandyloos[4] and sna-fowl[5] in his crop.”

[1] ”Madram,” extravagant action, the result of wild, animal spirits.

[2] Frisky simpletons.

[3] ”Katyogle,” snowy owl.

[4] ”Sandyloos,” ringed plover.

[5] ”Sna-fowl,” snow buntings.

CHAPTER XXII.

”GIVE YE GOOD COUNSEL.”

When they reached Moolapund they found all the household up and a.s.sembled for breakfast. Even Signy--though she looked pale and nervous--was there. The _Laulie's_ approach had been noticed, but Mr.

Adiesen merely remarked, ”Your young friends come to fetch you, Mr.

Garson, I suppose?”

He exchanged a knowing look with Fred. They had been conversing in private that morning for two hours, and both came into the breakfast-room with beaming faces. Even Aunt Osla could see without spectacles that a great change had come over her brother, and the good lady's heart was lightened, for she was sure the feud had come to an end at last.

Yaspard came to much the same conclusion when he ushered his companions into the house, and saw Uncle Brus leaning familiarly on Fred's arm, and quite ready to greet the Lunda boys with cordiality.

This was what our Viking-boy had longed for, and had hoped to bring about; yet there was a comical regret mingled with his pleasure as he thought, ”There will be no more excuse for my Viking raids.”

As they all gathered around the table Mr. Adiesen said, ”I suppose you came for your captain, young gentlemen?”

A moment's pause. ”Yes,” said Harry; ”we were sure he would want to get home soon to report Signy and Yaspard all right, but----”

”There's a 'but,' is there? Well?” said the Laird with a smile, which was reflected on Fred's face.

”We did not _leave home_ with such an intention,” Harry went on resolutely. ”We came to join Yaspard in a quest which ended in a muddle.”

”Because I wasn't there,” said the Viking. And then they told all about their night's work; and Tom prefaced the telling by a very sensible remark. ”It's got to be known, and we'd much rather have it all out, and take the consequences as you like. It might look like being sneaky, or fibicating, if we held our tongues.”

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