Mary came in then with some more sandwiches and coffee, and I went through the same routine with the straw, only this time I got choked. Thank Heaven I did! That sounds funny, but while I was coughing and sputtering, spewing coffee all over the place, Jim had walked over so that he was right under me. He stood for a moment watching me sputter, then let out a whoop and hollered.
"Hey! Dad! Professor! Mom! I've got it! I've got it." He paused a second, then, "I hope...."
I was still sputtering, but Mary and Professor Jordan both grabbed him and started asking questions.... "What are you talking about? What's your idea?"
"Professor, did you see what happened to the coffee?"
"Your father got choked, why?"
"When he sputtered, did you see what happened? The coffee went up!"
"Well, yes, it did. But I don't see.... By jove! Wait a minute! I see what you're driving at!" And turning to Mary, the professor added, "Mrs. Wilson, do you have a garden hose long enough to reach into this room?"
Mary was shocked. I was still listening between sputters.
"Why, yes, we have. What are you going to do?"