i68 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



said Kene", as they were getting themselves ready for 

 a start. 



" Let us see what our barometers say," replied 

 Leon ; and he entered his workroom. " First let us 

 look at No. 1." 



No. 1 was a dial-faced aneroid barometer hanging 

 on the wall. Leon gently tapped it with his finger. 

 The needle did not move. 



" The barometer is not rising," said he. 



"But it is not falling," answered Kene, " and why 

 should you expect it to rise ? It is already standing 

 nearly at fine weather." 



" Let us look at No. 2." 



No. 2 was a very different instrument. The case 

 of a barometer was replaced by a vase three-parts 

 filled with water and covered with a piece of muslin, 

 the graduated scale by a genuine ladder of wood, and 

 the needle by a green frog with brilliant reflections, 

 and which at this moment had chosen to locate itself 

 at the bottom of the receptacle. 



" Hum ! " said Leon, " this barometer is very low ; 

 which seems to show 



" That your frog is silly enough to like the water," 

 replied Kene, who was determined to start, come what 

 might. 



A lively cracking of whips interrupted the conver- 

 sation. It was the doctor, who, as he was not going to 

 walk, was determined at any rate to have the pleasure 

 of driving the party himself. 



