“You couldn’t do it; it would spread all over,” said the Professor.
“And that would be touching it just as much,” said Bob.
“Don’t fink it can be done!” said Pip, shaking her head.
“All shut your eyes,” said the Professor. “You, nurse, shut yours, too. Don’t any of you look.”
Nurse shut both her eyes, hard. Pip put her two fat little fists into her eyes, and listened. Tom laid his head down sideways on the table, and curled his arms round it. Bob declared that he wouldn’t shut his eyes; he was going to see that the Professor acted fair.
“Now open your eyes,” said the Professor.
They all looked up, and there stood the sage, who had covered the drop with a little blue bowl. He lifted the bowl, and, on the spot where had been the drop of tea, stood a lump of loaf-sugar holding up the tea in its paws, or pores, whichever you please.
Nurse picked up the lump of sugar and ate it. The table was as dry as a bone.
“Oh, my!” said Pip.