"There!" exclaimed Phœbe. "I've always wanted to know how those things worked. I've heard 'em, you know, but I've never worked one."
"It's real easy," said Droop, quite delighted to find Phœbe so interested. "Ye see, when it's wound up, all ye hev to do is to slip one o' these wax cylinders on here—so."
He adjusted the cylinder, dropped the stylus and pushed the starting lever.
Instantly the stentorian announcement rang out from the megaphone.
"The Last Rose of Summer—Sola—Sung by Signora Casta Diva—Edison Record!"
"Goodness gracious sakes alive!" cried Rebecca, turning in affright. "Who's that?"
Her two companions raised their right hands in a simultaneous appeal for silence. Then the song began.
With open eyes and mouth, the amazed Rebecca drew slowly nearer, and finally took her stand directly in front of the megaphone.
The song ended and Copernicus stopped the motor.
"Oh, ain't it lovely!" Phœbe cried.