Chapter 6 - Getting Off The Roof



For a few minutes Mr. Sharp was so engrossed with looking underneath
the craft, to ascertain in what condition the various planes and
braces were, that he paid little attention to the old maid school
principal, after his first greeting. But Miss Perkman was not a person
to be ignored.

"I want pay for the damage to the tower of my school," she went on. "I
could also demand damages for trespassing on my roof, but I will
refrain in this case. Young ladies, will you go to your rooms?" she
demanded.

"Oh, please, let us stay," pleaded Mary Nestor, beside whom Tom now
stood. "Perhaps Professor Swift will lecture on clouds and air
currents and-and such things as that," the girl went on slyly, smiling
at the somewhat embarrassed lad.

"Ahem! If there is a professor present, perhaps it might be a good
idea to absorb some knowledge," admitted the old maid, and,
unconsciously, she smoothed her hair, and settled her gold spectacles
straighter on her nose. "Professor, I will delay collecting damages on
behalf of the Rocksmond Young Ladies Seminary, while you deliver a
lecture on air currents," she went on, addressing herself to Mr.
Sharp.

"Oh, I'm not a professor," he said quickly. "I'm a professional