Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno.djvu/55

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II]
L'AMIE INCONNUE.
27

"By no means!" the Professor answered with a proud smile. "After about a minute, he quietly turns a tap at the lower end of the P.B.——all the water runs back into the jug——and there you are again!"

"But how in the world is he to get out of the bag again?"

"That, I take it,' said the Professor, "is the most beautiful part of the whole invention. All the way up the P.B., inside, are loops for the thumbs; so it's something like going up-stairs, only perhaps less comfortable; and, by the time the A.T. has risen out if the bag, all but his head, he's sure to topple over, one way or the other——the Law of Gravity secures that. And there he is on the floor again!"

"A little bruised, perhaps?"

"Well, yes, a little bruised; but having had his plunge-bath: that's the great thing."

"Wonderful! It's almost beyond belief!" murmured the Sub-Warden. The Professor took it as a compliment, and bowed with a gratified smile.

"Quite beyond belief! my Lady added——meaning, no doubt, to be more complimentary