. "Wonder how fur back we be now!"

She was herself surprised at the eagerness she felt to observe at last
the results of their extraordinary attempt.

She rose quickly and was very soon ready to leave her room. She was
longing to see Phoebe--Phoebe as she had been when a girl.

Opening her door, she was astonished to find the lamps of the main room
aglow and to see Copernicus in his shirt-sleeves, asleep with his head
on the table.

As she stepped out of her own room, her senses were offended by the odor
of alcohol. With horror she realized that rum, the spirit of all the
sources of evil, had found its way into their abode.

She entertained so violent a repugnance for liquors and for men under
their influence that she could not bring herself to approach Copernicus.

"He's gone an' got drunk again," she muttered, glaring with helpless
anger at the bottles and then at him.

"Mister Droop! Copernicus Droop!" she cried in a high, sharp voice.

There was no reply.

She looked about her for something to prod him with. There was an
arm-chair on casters beside her door. She drew this to her and pushed it
with all her might toward the unconscious man.

The chair struck violently against Droop's seat, and even caused his
body to sway slightly, but he still slept and gave no sign.

"That settles it!" she exclaimed, with mingled disgust and alarm in her
face.

"What's the matter?"

It was Phoebe who called.

"It's me," said Rebecca. "Can I come in?"

"Yes."

Rebecca walked into Phoebe's room, which she found darkened like her
own. Her sister was in bed.

"What ever happened to you?" Phoebe asked. "Sounded as though ye'd
fallen down or somethin'."

Rebecca stood stiffly with her back to the closed door, her hands folded
before her.

"Copernicus Droop is tight! Dead drunk!" she exclaimed, with a shaking
voice.

"Drunk!" cried Phoebe. "Lands sakes!--an'--" She looked about her with
alarm. "Then what's happened to the machine?" she asked.

"Whirlin', whirlin', same as ever! Cuttin' meridians or sausage meat
fer all I care. I jest wish to goodness an' all creation I'd never ben
sech a plumb born nateral fool as to--oh, wouldn't I like to jest
_shake_ that man!" she broke out, letting her anger gain the upper hand.

Then Phoebe recalled their situation and their expectations of the
night before.

"Why, then I ought to be gettin' little pretty fast," she said, feeling
her arms. "I don't see's I've shrunk a