第22章 BOOK I.(21)

On turning into the main road Ayrault was about to increase his speed,when Sylvia,who had taken a short cut appeared at the wayside carrying her hat in one hand and her gloves in the other.

"I couldn't let you go all by yourself,"she said."The fact is,I wanted to be with you.""You are the sweetest thing that ever lived,and I'll love you all my days,"he said,getting down and helping Sylvia to the seat beside him."What a nuisance this fellow behind is!"he continued--referring to the groom--"for,though he is a Russian,and speaks but little English,it is unpleasant to feel he is there.""You'll have to write your sweet nothings,instead of saying them,"Sylvia replied.

"For you to leave around for other girls to see,"answered Ayrault with a smile.

"I don't know what your other girls do,"she returned,"but with me you are safe."Ayrault fairly made his phaeton spin,going up the grades like a shot and down like a bird.On reaching New York,he left Sylvia at her house,then ran his machine to a florist's,where he ordered some lilies and roses,and then steered his way to his club,where he dressed for dinner.Shortly before the time he repaired to Delmonico's--which name had become historical,though the founders themselves were long dead--and sat guard at a table till Sylvia,wearing his flowers and looking more beautiful than any of them,arrived with her mother and father,and Bearwarden,whom they knew very well.

"How are the exams getting on,Miss Preston?"Bearwarden asked.

"Pretty well,"she replied,with a smile."We had English literature yesterday,and natural history the day before.Next week we have chemistry and philosophy.""What are you taking in natural history?"asked Bearwarden,with interest.

"Oh,principally physical geography,geology,and meteorology,"she replied."I think them entrancing."

"It must be a consolation,"said Ayrault,"when your best hat is spoiled by rain,to know the reason why.Your average,"he continued,addressing Sylvia,"was ninety in the semi-annuals,and I haven't a doubt that the finals will maintain your record for the year.""Don't be too sure,"she replied."I have been loafing awfully,and had to engage a 'grind'as a coach."After dinner they went to the play,where they saw a presentation of Society at the Close of the Twentieth Century,which Sylvia and Ayrault enjoyed immensely.

A few days after the Delmonico dinner,while Bearwarden,Cortlandt,and Ayrault sat together discussing their plans,the servant announced Ayrault's family physician,Dr.Tubercle Germiny,who had been requested to call.

"Delighted to see you,doctor,"said Ayrault,shaking hands.

"You know Col.Bearwarden,our President,and Dr.Cortlandt--an LL.D.,however,and not a medico.""I have had the pleasure,"replied Dr.Germiny,shaking hands with both.

"As you may be aware,doctor,"said Ayrault,when they were seated,"we are about to take a short trip to Jupiter,and,if time allows,to Saturn.We have come to you,as one familiar with every known germ,for a few precautionary suggestions and advice concerning our medicine-chest.""Indeed!"replied Dr.Germiny,"a thorough knowledge of bacteriology is the groundwork of therapeutics.It is practically admitted that every ailment,with the exception of mechanical injuries,is the direct result of a specific germ;and even in accidents and simple fractures,no matter what may be the nature of the bruise,a micro-organism soon announces its presence,so that if not the parent,it is the inseparable companion,in fact the shadow,of disease.Now,though not the first cause in this instance,it has been indubitably proved,that much of the effect,the fever and pain,are produced and continued by the active,omnipresent,sleepless sperm.Either kill the micrococcus or heal the wound,and you are free from both.It being,therefore,granted that the ills of life are in the air,we have but to find the peculiar nature of the case in hand,its habits,tastes,and constitution,in order to destroy it.Impoverish the soil on which it thrives,before its arrival,if you can foresee the nature of the inoculation to which you will be exposed,by a dilute solution of itself,and supply it only with what it particularly dislikes.For an already established tubercle requiring rapid action of the blood,such as may well exist among the birds and vertebrates of Jupiter and Saturn,I suggest a hypodermic rattlesnake injection,while hydrocyanic acid and tarantula saliva may also come in well.The combinations that so long destroyed us have already become our panacea.""I see you have these poisons at your fingers'ends,"said Ayrault,"and we shall feel the utmost confidence in the remedies and directions you prescribe."They found that,in addition to their medicine-chest,they would have to make room for the following articles,and also many more:

six shot-guns (three double-barrel 12-bores,three magazine 10-bores,)three rifles,three revolvers;a large supply of ammunition (explosive and solid balls),hunting-knives,fishing-tackle,compass,sextant,geometrical instruments,canned food for forty days,appliance for renewing air,clothing,rubber boots,apergetic apparatus,protection-wires,aneroid barometer,and kodaks.