The Green Mummy - Page 64/191

Professor Braddock was usually the most methodical of men, and timed his

life by the clock and the almanac. He rose at seven, summer and winter,

to partake of a hearty breakfast, which served him until dinner came at

five thirty. Braddock dined at this unusual hour--save when there was

company--as he did not eat any luncheon and scorned the very idea of

afternoon tea. Two meals a day, he maintained, was enough for any man

who led a sedentary life, as too much food was apt to clog the wheels of

the intellect. He usually worked in his museum--if the indulgence of his

hobby could be called work--from nine until four, after which hour he

took a short walk in the garden or through the village. On finishing his

dinner he would glance over some scientific publication, or perhaps,

by way of recreation, play a game or two of patience; but at seven he

invariably retired into his own rooms to renew work. Retirement to bed

took place at midnight, so it can be guessed that the Professor got

through an enormous quantity of work during the year. A more methodical

man, or a more industrious man did not exist.

But on occasions even this enthusiast wearied of his hobby, and of the

year's routine. A longing to see brother scientists of his own way of

thinking would seize him, and he would abruptly depart for London, to

occupy quiet lodgings, and indulge in intercourse with his fellow-men.

Braddock rarely gave early intimation of his urban nostalgia. At

breakfast he would suddenly announce that the fit took him to go to

London, and he would drive to Jessum along with Cockatoo to catch the

ten o'clock train to London. Sometimes he sent the Kanaka back; at

other times he would take him to town; but whether Cockatoo remained or

departed, the museum was always locked up lest it should be profaned by

the servants of the house. As a matter of fact, Braddock need not have

been afraid, for Lucy--knowing her step-father's whims and violent

temper--took care that the sanctity of the place should remain

inviolate.

Sometimes the Professor came back in a couple of days; at times his

absence would extend to a week; and on two or three occasions he

remained absent for a fortnight. But whenever he returned, he said very

little about his doings to Lucy, perhaps deeming that dry scientific

details would not appeal to a lively young lady. As soon as he was

established in his museum again, life at the Pyramids would resume

its usual routine, until Braddock again felt the want of a change. The

wonder was, considering the nature of his work, and the closeness of

his application, that he did not more often indulge in these Bohemian

wanderings.

Lucy, therefore, was not astonished when, on the morning after her visit

to Mrs. Jasher, the Professor announced in his usual abrupt way that

he intended to go to London, but would leave Cockatoo in charge of his

precious collection. She was somewhat disturbed, however, as, wishing to

forward the widow's matrimonial aims, she had invited her to dinner for

the ensuing night. This she told her step-father, and, rather to her

surprise, he expressed himself sorry that he could not remain.