“Yes,” replied his father, “it would receive some, I’ve no doubt, but perhaps not more than the snow itself would on each side of it; and so the snow that was all around it would melt away as fast as that which was under it, and thus would not make any pit or depression in the snow, as the black iron would.”
“But I have observed,” said Rollo’s mother, “that, in the spring of the year, wherever there are chips or shavings upon the snow, in the yard, it does not melt away under them, as fast as it does in other places.”
“Yes, father,” said Rollo, “and hay too. Last year, there was some hay left at the post where Jonas tied the horse; and, after the snow was all gone from the rest of the yard, I raked that hay away, and I found a great deal of ice under it.”
“Yes,” said his father, “I’ve no doubt of it. That depends upon another principle. But we shall not have time to talk about that now; I will tell you about it after we get into the carryall.”
In fact, they had by this time nearly finished their breakfast; and so, after a few minutes more, they rose from the table, and Rollo went out to tell Jonas that they should be ready to go whenever the horses were harnessed. In about fifteen minutes, Jonas drove up to the door, and they got into the carryall and set out for home.
QUESTIONS.
What did Rollo observe in the yard when he looked out the window the next morning? What were the difficulties in Rollo’s pumping? What apparatus attracted Rollo’s attention at the breakfast-table? Describe its construction. How did Mr. Holiday explain the operation of it? What sort of surfaces radiate fast? What sort of surfaces radiate slowly? What examples did Mr. Holiday mention to illustrate this? Describe the appearances on the snow in the spring of the year, which were mentioned by Rollo.
CHAPTER X.
CONDUCTION.
Very soon after Jonas had driven out of the village, Mr. Holiday went on with his explanation. Rollo sat, as before, upon the front seat; but, by turning a little in his seat, he could hear what his father said very well.