"Still, there are not in this drawing instruments or apparatus, or machines such as I have seen in my brother's books."
"But," answered Monsieur Roger, smiling, "it is not necessary that you should see instruments and apparatus and machines, as you say, to be in the presence of physical phenomena; and I assure you, my dear child, that this drawing which is under our eyes is connected with chemistry and physical science."
Miette now looked up at Monsieur Roger to see if he was not making fun of her. Monsieur Roger translated this dumb interrogation, and said,—
"Come, now! what does this drawing represent? Tell me yourself."
"Why, it represents two peasants,—a man and a woman,—who have returned home wet in the storm, and who are warming and drying themselves before the fire."
"It is, in fact, exactly that."
"Very well, sir?" asked Miette.
And in this concise answer she meant to say, "In all that, what do you see that is connected with chemistry or physical science?"
"Very well," continued Monsieur Roger; "do you see this light mist, this vapor, which is rising from the cloak that the peasant is drying before the fire?"
"Yes."