“Yet you are not quite discouraged?” said mamma.
August held out his basket with a smile.
So once more the incubator was set.
“We must take more pains this time,” said mamma.
“Yes’m,” answered August, “I’ll try not to let any thing happen to these.”
Things did work more smoothly this time. The temperature was kept about right, the eggs were tested successfully and without accident.
One week, two weeks, two weeks and a half, and then things happened again, things which came near being serious enough. It was Saturday afternoon. August was going with the other children to a circus. He had turned the eggs carefully and sprinkled them lightly with warm water. He had admitted the children into his secret, and they were all in the room waiting for him.
“These eggs are a little cool,” said August, putting one up to his cheek. “I must leave them just right, I think I will fill the lamp and turn it up a little. Tommy, will you take the lamp out?”
Down on his knees Tommy went, and drew out the lamp which he set on the floor. Then, kneeling still above it, he blew hard, directly down the chimney.
“Puff! BANG! Crack!” went something, causing August, Katie and Robbie to start violently, while poor Tommy, with his hands to his eyes, rolled over on the floor with a groan.