"Nuts to you!" was what Narli knew Earthmen would tell him ... only it was frismil nuts!
Mrs. Purrington broke into loud sobs when he told her he was leaving Earth. "Oh, I'll miss you so, Narli! You will write, won't you?"
"Yes, of course," he said grimly. That made two hundred and eighteen people to whom he'd had to promise to write.
It was fortunate he was traveling as a guest of the North American government, he thought as he supervised the loading of his matched interplanetary luggage; his eight steamer baskets; his leather-bound Encyclopedia Terrestria, with his name imprinted in gold on each volume; his Indian war-bonnet; his oil painting of the President; and his six cases of champagne--all parting gifts--onto the liner. Otherwise the fee for excess luggage would take what little remained of his bank account. There had been so many expenses--clothes and hostess gifts and ice.
Not all his mementoes were in his luggage. A new rare-metal watch gleamed on each of his four furry wrists; a brand-new trobskin wallet, platinum key-chain, and uranium fountain
A cute short story. Wish I had a teddy bear for a professor!
This and various other books authored by Evelyn E. Smith are available for free (Kindle) on Amazon. Enjoyed this one plus the others too.
I first read this story when I was in primary school in the 1970's.
I was charmed by it then and over 30 years later, without knowing the title or the author sought it out.
Everyone I asked, in person and across the Net said, "Oh yes, I remember that one. I'd like to read it again, can you tell me what it's called when you find out!"
And eventually I did find out, due to the excellent minds on http://community.livejournal.com/whatwasthatbook so a big thank you to them.
I'm pleased to find that it is still a little gem, a gently warming tale of an alien professor and his trip to Earth, humans' reactions to and the effects on him.
Still charmed and very glad to find it available here.
Thank you!
