Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/377

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
XXI]
THE PROFESSOR'S LECTURE.
339

"I will now explain the Process of——the name is blotted, I'm sorry to say. It will be illustrated by a number of——of——" here he examined the page for some time, and at last said "It seems to be either 'Experiments' or 'Specimens'——"

"Let it be Experiments," said the Emperor. "We've seen plenty of Specimens."

"Certainly, certainly!" the Professor assented. "We will have some Experiments."

"May I do them?" Bruno eagerly asked.

"Oh dear no!" The Professor looked dismayed. "I really don't know what would happen if you did them!"

"Nor nobody doosn't know what'll happen if oo doos them!" Bruno retorted.

"Our First Experiment requires a Machine. It has two knobs——only two——you can count them, if you like."

The Head-Cook stepped forwards, counted them, and retired satisfied.

"Now you might press those two knobs together——but that's not the way to do it. Or you might turn the Machine upside-down——but that's not the way to do it!"

z 2