Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/12

 "Oh Lordy" rambled all over the plantation, horseback and afoot, poking into everything, just like that Health Officer who used to come spying around the Hot Cat Eating House. Oh Lordy would stick up his eyeglass and ask a million questions a minute about cotton and seed, and ginning and picking, and mules and negroes. When he switched off to "soil" and "climate" and "precipitation"—Zack knew there wasn't nothing like that on Sherwood.

"What makes Lord Meadowcroft so inquisitive?" Dr. Paulding asked.

"Business," the Colonel laughed. "He wants to learn how we raise cotton. You see, Doctor, it's this way: the British Cotton Growers' Association is making experiments all over the world, trying to find a soil and climate adapted to cotton culture. Meadowcroft is particularly interested in the Sudan"

"Where's the Sudan?" for Dr. Paulding had hazy geographical ideas.

"Don't know, exactly—somewhere in Middle Africa. Ask your geography. Anyway, Meadowcroft thinks the Sudan will produce cotton. They've got all kinds of theoretical experts on the ground—and want some experienced planter who understands the practical side of it—just to give them a start, you know. I've agreed to go—for six months."