He's got something startling to tell us about, I hope.

It's some time since we had anything of a scientific scrap between us." "And therefore," said Nitocris, as she took his hand, "I suppose you are just dying for another one." "Well, not quite dying," laughed the Professor.

"Don't look half dead, do I?
Just curious, that's all.

You can't give me any idea of the subject, I suppose ?" "I could, Professor," she replied, with a malicious twinkle in her eye, because she had already had a talk with her father on the altered title of the lecture, "but if I did, you know, I should only, as we say in England, be spoiling sport.

However, I don't think I shall be playing traitor if I tell you to prepare for a little surprise." Professor van Huysman's manner changed instantly, and the warrior soul of the scientist was in arms.
"Oh yes! A surprise, eh ?" he said, with something between a snort and a snarl in his voice.