"Why, how's that?"
"The sides o' the machine rubbin' on the air," said Droop.
"That's so," Phœbe replied. "That's what heats up meteors so awful hot, ain't it?"
Rebecca came out of the kitchen at this moment.
"I must say ye wasn't particler about gettin' all the pans to rights 'fore ye left the kitchen, Phœbe. Ben makin' the beds?"
"Land, no, Rebecca!" said Phœbe, blushing guiltily.
"Well, there!"
Rebecca said no more, but her set lips and puckered forehead spoke much of displeasure as she stalked across to the state-rooms.
"Well, I declare to goodness!" she cried, as she opened her door. "Ye hevn't even opened the window to air the rooms!"
Phœbe looked quite miserable at thought of her remissness, but Copernicus came bravely to the rescue.