Can't you give us a jolly flare- up to begin with ?" "All serene," said Philpot, who had now quite recovered his humour, and was pleased to find himself in the position of an instructor of youth, "wait a bit, then." He reached down from a shelf a large saucer containing water, in which lay a round substance rather like the end of a stick of peppermint-rock.
On this Philpot began to operate with a pair of scissors, greatly to the amusement of his spectators, for try all he would he couldn't get hold of it.
"What are you trying to do ?" said Cusack.
"Cut a bit off," said Philpot, trying to stick the substance with a long bodkin, in order to hold it steady.
"Why, that's not the way to cut it, you old dolt," said Pilbury.

"Here, I'll do it," and he advanced to the saucer.
"What'll you do ?" "Why, fish it out, of course, and cut it then." "You'd better not try.

It's phosphorus." "Is it, though--and what does it do ?" "Burn you, rather, unless you keep it in water.

Ah, got him at last." So saying Philpot triumphantly spiked the obstinate piece of phosphorus, and succeeded in cutting off a small piece.
"Is that what makes the flare-up ?" asked Cusack.
"Yes, wait a bit, till I get the jar." "What jar ?" asked Pilbury.

"Here's one; will this do ?" "Look out, I say!" exclaimed Philpot, in great excitement; "let it go, will you ?" "What's the row ?" asked Pilbury and Cusack, both in alarm.
"Why, that's got my oxygen in it," cried Philpot, securing the bottle and gently lifting it on to the table, taking care to hold the glass plate that covered the mouth in its place.
"Got his what in it ?" asked Cusack.
"Oxygen.