There was no reply. Nor could any calling or pleading elicit an answer. Droop had yielded to his thirst and was again sleeping the sleep of the unregenerate.
"Oh, Rebecca, what— Oh—oo—oo!"
There was a loud scream from both the sisters as the iron ring, worn through by long rubbing, finally snapped asunder.
The tremendous pressure was suddenly lifted, and the two women were free.
With a single impulse, they flew toward the kitchen door and fell into each other's arms.
The Panchronicon had gone off at a tangent at last!
"Oh, Rebecca—Rebecca!" cried Phœbe, in tears. "I was afraid I'd never see you again!"
Rebecca cried a little too, and patted her sister's shoulder in silence a moment.
"There, deary!" she said, after awhile. "Now let's set down an' hev a good cup o' tea. Then we can go to bed comfortable."
"But, Rebecca," said Phœbe, stepping back and wiping her eyes, "what shall we do about the Panchronicon? We're jest makin' fer Infinite Space, or somewheres, as fast as we can go."