“Yes, that is one thing we have learned about them already. Seeds take in water and swell greatly.” As he spoke, Uncle George gave Frank, Tom, and Dolly each a small knife and a needle mounted in a handle. He then laid a small magnifying glass on the table.
“Take a soaked bean and look at it well,” he said. “First we will look at the outside of it, then we will see what it has inside.”
“My bean is covered all over with a smooth skin,” said Dolly.
“And there is a long black mark on one side of it,” Tom added.
“Come on, Frank,” said his uncle, “haven’t you got something to say.”
“It is sort of kidney-shaped,” said Frank.
“Nothing more?”
Frank shook his head.
“Squeeze it,” said Uncle George, “and tell me what you see.”
“Oh, there is water oozing out of a little hole at the end of the black mark,” said Frank.