Page:Cornelia Meigs--The Pool of Stars.djvu/176

 from view like this for nothing. And now he has done what every one of us would have given his eyes to accomplish!"

"Yes," assented the older man slowly, "it is the principle that we have all dreamed of, that only a very great and a very patient man could bring to reality at last. Now," to David, "we will see it in motion if you please, sir."

It is probable that all in the room held their breaths as David laid his hand upon the lever. Betsey was certain that she held hers and that she felt all dry and hollow inside, so tense was her anxiety. She listened for the familiar sound of turning wheels, the smooth rising note as they spun into motion. Every one listened—but the machine remained silent.

"There is something wrong, sir," she heard David say huskily.

"Perhaps you have not thrown the proper switch," Garven suggested, but the boy shook his head miserably.

"I have started it a hundred times," he answered; "there was never anything simpler. No, the machine is not as it used to be. There must be some parts missing."

They went over it minutely, inch by inch, all four of them, while Betsey and Miss Miranda still waited by the door.