Hale had fallen under the scientist’s spell. He did not feel foolish when he said:
“Let’s have a rat!”
Hale became so absorbed in the wonders of the laboratory that when lunch time came, Sir Basil had food brought to them. While they were eating a very good vegetable stew, farina, and luscious tropical fruits, a sudden, agonized scream rang out, followed by other screams and wails.
Sir Basil opened the door and looked out. Aña came running forward. Her blue eyes were flooded with tears.
“Oh, Aimu!” she moaned. “A tree fell on Unani Assu.”
She buried her beautiful face in her hands and sobbed aloud.
Sir Basil frowned heavily.
“I can’t lose Unani Assu yet,” he declared. “He is a wonderful help around the laboratory. Is he dead?”
“No. We should rejoice if his time of release had come. But his legs, Aimu! No one wants to suffer and be crippled.”