There ain't nothing to be gained by hurrying and worrying through the only lifetime we've got in this world, eh ?" The Doctor and Mrs.Wing welcomed Uncle Christopher most warmly, for he was a very dear friend of theirs, and they never allowed him to stay anywhere in Norton but at their house, now that the Elmers had moved away.

After supper Ruth and the Mays came over to see him, and he entertained them the whole evening with his funny stories and quaint sayings.
In the morning, after breakfast, they began to "consider," as Uncle Christopher called it.

First he made Mark stand in front of him, looked him all over from head to foot with a quizzical expression, and finally said, "Yes, you look strong and hearty, and I guess you'll do.
"Fact is, Mark, I've got to take a trip down into Aroostook, and as I'm getting pretty old and feeble--Oh, you needn't smile, youngster, I am old and I've made so many bad jokes lately that I must be getting feeble.

As I was saying, having reached an advanced state of infirmity, it has occurred to me that I need a travelling companion, a young, able-bodied fellow like you, for instance, to protect me against the dangers of the journey.

Who knows but what we may meet with an alligator, eh?
and so I want you to go along with me." Of course Mark agreed readily to this proposition, though he had expected one far different, and the next morning he and Uncle Christopher took leave of their Norton friends and started for Bangor.
From there another train carried them for miles along the upper Penobscot River, past the Indian settlement at Old Town, past the great saw-mills and millions of logs at Mattawaumkeag, and finally to McAdam Junction in "Europe," as Uncle Christopher called New Brunswick.