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Thus, when old Doctor Meldrum, with his well-known curly-brimmed opera-hat,
appeared upon the platform, there was such a universal query of "Where
did
you get that tile?" that he hurriedly removed it, and concealed it
furtively under his chair. When gouty Professor Wadley limped down to his seat
there were general affectionate inquiries from all parts of the hall as to the
exact state of his poor toe, which caused him obvious embarrassment. The
greatest demonstration of all, however, was at the entrance of my new
acquaintance, Professor Challenger, when he passed down to take his place at
the extreme end of the front row of the platform. Such a yell of welcome broke
forth when his black beard first protruded round the corner that I began to
suspect Tarp Henry was right in his surmise, and that this assemblage was there
not merely for the sake of the lecture, but because it had got rumoured abroad
that the famous Professor would take part in the proceedings.
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Ainsi, lorsque apparut le vieux docteur Meldrum, coiffé du légendaire
claque d’où sa chevelure déborde en mèches, il y eut une clameur si
unanime pour savoir d’où sortait le « galurin » qu’il
s’empressa de l’ôter et de le dissimuler sous sa chaise. Quand le
professeur Watley, tout perclus de goutte, se traîna jusqu’à son siège,
tel fut l’empressement à s’informer de son orteil malade, que le digne
homme en resta confondu. Cependant, la démonstration la plus éclatante se
produisit quand mon nouvel ami le professeur Challenger descendit prendre sa
place sur le devant de l’estrade. Un hurlement de bienvenue salua au tournant
du coin sa barbe noire. Et je pensai que Tarp Henry avait eu raison dans ses
conjectures, que cette foule ne venait pas seulement à cause de la
conférence, mais parce que le bruit avait dû se répandre au dehors que le
fameux professeur y assisterait.
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