"D'ye think ye could stand a little more speed, Cousin Phoebe?" said Droop. "We might try," she replied. "Well, let's try, then," he said, and turned promptly to the engine-room. Very soon the difference in speed was felt, and as they found themselves travelling more rapidly in a circle, the centrifugal force now became distinctly perceptible. The two women found themselves obliged to lean somewhat toward the central pole to counteract this tendency, and as Copernicus emerged from the engine-room he came toward the others at a decided angle to the floor. "There! now ye feel the side weight," he exclaimed. "My, ain't it funny!" exclaimed Rebecca. "Thet's the way I've felt afore now when the cars was goin' round a curve--kinder topplin' like." "Why, that is the centrifugal force," Phoebe said, with dignity. "It's the side weight--that's what I call it," Droop replied, obstinately, and for some time there was silence. "How many years back are we makin' by the hour now, Mr. Droop?" Rebecca asked at length. "Jest a little over two hours fer a year now," he replied. "Well," said Rebecca, in a discontented tone, "I think the old Panchronicle is rayther a slow actin' concern, considerin' th' amount o' side weight it makes. I declare I'm mos' tired out leanin' over to one side, like old man Titus's paralytic cow." Phoebe laughed and Droop replied: "If ye can't stand it or set it, why lay, Cousin Rebecca. The's good settles all 'round." With manifestly injured feelings Droop hunted up a book and sat down to read in silence. The Panchronicon was his pet and he did not relish its being thus contemned. The remainder of the morning was spent in almost completely silent work or reading. Droop scarce took his eyes from his book. Phoebe spent part of the time deep in the Baconian work and part of the time contemplating the monotonous landscape. Rebecca was dreaming of her future past--or her past future, while her knitting grew steadily upon its needles. The midday meal was duly prepared and disposed of, and, as the afternoon wore away, the three travellers began to examine the date indicator and to ask themselves surreptitiously whether or not they actually felt any younger. They took sly peeps at each other's faces to observe, if possible, any signs of returning youth. By supper-time there was certainly a less aged air about each of the three and the elders inwardly congratulated themselves upon the unmistakable effects of another twelve hours. Not long after the supper dishes had been washed, Rebecca took Phoebe aside and said: "Phoebe, it seems to me you'd ought to be goin' to bed right soon, now. You're only 'bout eighteen years old at present, an' you'll certainly begin to grow smaller again very soon. It wouldn't hardly be respectable fer ye to do yer shrinkin' out here." This view of the probabilities had not yet struck Phoebe.