"Because it is too heavy."
"In fact, it is too heavy," said Monsieur Roger; "but tell me, what is it that is too heavy?"
Miette sought an answer.
"Oh, I do not know. It is the lever or the pistons which have become all of a sudden too heavy."
"Not at all; that is not it. Neither the lever nor the pistons can change their weight."
"Then, what is it that is so heavy?"
"Come, now! Try once more, with all your strength."
Miette endeavored to lower the right-hand side of the lever: she could not succeed.
"Why," said she, "it is, of course, the piston on the left which has become too heavy, as I cannot make it rise again."
"You are right, Miss Miette. It is the piston in the left cylinder which cannot rise; but it has not changed its weight, as I said,—only it has now to support a very considerable weight; and it is that weight which you cannot combat."