"I know you did; but you said raquet."
In this juvenile spat they approached the porch where Mr. Bartol stood waiting for them.
"Young people," he called, in a voice that somehow voiced a deep emotion, "do you realize that it is midnight?"
Protesting their amazement, they mounted the steps and entered the house; but the moment they looked into their host's face they became serious, perceiving that something very tremendous had taken place in his laboratory.
"What has happened?" asked Leo. "What did she do?"
"I don't know yet," he replied, strangely inconclusive in tone and phrase. "I must think it all over. If I can persuade myself that the marvels which I have witnessed are realities, the universe is an entirely new and vastly different machine for me."
Thrilling to the excitement in his face and in his voice, they passed on. At the top of the stairs Leo faced Victor with eyes big with excitement. "What do you suppose came to him?"
"I haven't an idea. He seemed terribly wrought up, though."
"We must say good-night." She held out her hand, and he took it.
"This has been the finest, most instructive day of my life."