The Professor's Robe
As a rule professors wear black robes when they wear any, but our nutshell professor wears white because it is more becoming to his dark complexion, and because it is more effective and draws attention to him.
Fig.141 - The Professor's Robe.
To make the robe, fold an oblong piece of white paper into a square, which makes the square double. The edges should measure about four inches. If you have a large white envelope cut off one end to make it square and use that. Fold the square diagonally across from point to point, as is shown by the dotted line in [Fig. 141]. Now turn back first one side point, then the other side point, and make them meet over the first fold to form a fanlike pleat, wider at the bottom than at the top. The dotted lines on either side of the middle one in [Fig. 141] show where the folds should come. The middle fold is bent out, or toward you; the side folds are bent in, or away from you. The side points now extending toward you are the wide, flowing sleeves of the professor's gown.
Fig.142 - The Nutshell Mouse.
Fig.143 - Ear for the mouse.
Take the robe in your hand at the bottom point, holding it from the back, and on the top point hang the professor's nutshell head ([Fig. 140]).
While the head balances quite securely on the point, you can make it wag from side to side, make it shake and tremble when the professor grows very earnest in his discourse, and make the chin thrust itself forward when he is emphatic. You do all this merely by shaking and tipping the paper robe. He is an amusing little lecturer, this English-walnut shell professor, and seems very much alive.