TURTLE EGGS FOR AGASSIZ 113 



wood-roads from the pond two hours before, but 

 with the rattle and crash now of a fire brigade. 

 Whirling a corner into Cambridge Street, we took 

 the bridge at a gallop, the driver shouting out some- 

 thing in Hibernian to a pair of waving arms and a 

 belt and brass buttons. 



" Across the bridge with a rattle and jolt that put 

 the eggs in jeopardy, and on over the cobble-stones, 

 we went. Hall: standing, to lessen the jar, I held the 

 pail in one hand and held myself in the other, not 

 daring to let go even to look at my watch. 



" But I was afraid to look at the watch. I was 

 afraid to see how near to seven o'clock it might be. 

 The sweat was dropping down my nose, so close was 

 I running to the limit of my time. 



" Suddenly there was a lurch, and I dived forward, 

 ramming my head into the front of the cab, coming 

 up with a rebound that landed me across the small 

 of my back on the seat, and sent half of my pail of 

 eggs helter-skelter over the floor. 



" We had stopped. Here was Agassiz's house; 

 and without taking time to pick up the eggs that 

 were scattered, I jumped out with my pail and 

 pounded at the door. 



" No one was astir in the house. But I would stir 

 some one. And I did. Right in the midst of the 

 racket the door opened. It was the maid. 



" * Agassiz,' I gasped, ' I want Professor Agassiz, 

 quick ! ' And I pushed by her into the hall. 



