The Head-Cook stepped forwards, counted them, and retired satisfied.
“Now you might press those two knobs together—but that’s not the way to do it. Or you might turn the Machine upside-down—but that’s not the way to do it!”
“What are the way to do it?” said Bruno, who was listening very attentively.
The Professor smiled benignantly. “Ah, yes!” he said, in a voice like the heading of a chapter. “The Way To Do It! Permit me!” and in a moment he had whisked Bruno upon the table. “I divide my subject,” he began, “into three parts——”
“I think I’ll get down!” Bruno whispered to Sylvie. “It aren’t nice to be divided!”
“He hasn’t got a knife, silly boy!” Sylvie whispered in reply. “Stand still! You’ll break all the bottles!”
“The first part is to take hold of the knobs,” putting them into Bruno’s hands. “The second part is——” Here he turned the handle, and, with a loud “Oh!”, Bruno dropped both the knobs, and began rubbing his elbows.
The Professor chuckled in delight. “It had a sensible effect. Hadn’t it?” he enquired.
“No, it hadn’t a sensible effect!” Bruno said indignantly. “It were very silly indeed. It jingled my elbows, and it banged my back, and it crinkled my hair, and it buzzed among my bones!”
“I’m sure it didn’t!” said Sylvie. “You’re only inventing!”