What did Jonas say when Rollo told him about burning the iron filings? How did he make the filings? Did the experiment of burning them succeed? Why will not a large piece of iron burn in the flame of a lamp? What did Mr. Holiday say to Rollo’s proposal to hold the end of a knitting-needle in the lamp? Why will not the terms that are employed in common conversation answer for philosophical use? What is the meaning of _ambiguous_? What are the different meanings of the word burn? What is the difference between the words _freeze_ and _congeal_ in respect to the extent of their meaning? What question did Rollo’s mother ask in respect to the meaning of the word _inflammable_? What did Mr. Holiday say? What experiment did he perform to illustrate the two meanings? How was the question at last decided?
A few days after Rollo’s father gave him the instructions on the subject of combustion which are contained in the last chapter, Rollo saw Jonas going across the yard about the middle of the afternoon, with a lantern in his hand. Of course Rollo called out to him with the usual question in such cases,—
“I’m going out into the pasture to set some heaps on fire.”
Rollo ran into the parlor to ask his mother if he might go too. He happened to meet his father just coming in at the front door. He accordingly asked him instead.
“Yes,” said his father, “but I’m rather afraid to have the heaps set on fire this afternoon. I am afraid that the fire will run.”
“Yes,” replied his father. “Tell Jonas he must be very careful not to let the fire get away from him.”
Rollo ran off in pursuit of Jonas. When he got to the back yard again, he saw Jonas going down the lane almost out of sight.
“Jonas!” said Rollo, calling out as loud as he could, “Jo—nas!”
So saying, he ran off after him. He clambered over the great gate which led into the lane, because he thought that he could climb over it quicker than open it. As soon as he reached the ground on the other side, he ran on, calling out,—
But Jonas did not seem to hear him. At any rate he did not stop. On the contrary, Rollo was himself stopped, by hearing a voice behind him, as if near the house, calling,—
Rollo turned to see who it was. It was his cousin James, who was running towards him with all speed. Rollo waited for him to come up. James tried to open the gate, but could not.