Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint Read Online Free PDF Page A

attached, so that the place looked as if it were decorated with balloons and streamers for a party. The floor was littered with broken glass. A long ladder stood in the center of the room. Professor Bullfinch and Dr. Grimes sat in the middle of the room in their shirt sleeves, with their neckties hanging loose. They looked exhausted.
    The Professor was saying, “We have tried every possible experiment. You must admit that the liquid cuts off gravity.”
    Dr. Grimes was hoarse. “I will admit only that it appears to do so,” he said stubbornly. “Nothing else has been proved. The whole effect may be caused by—by sunspots, for instance.”
    â€œCome, come, Grimes,” said the Professor patiently. “We have found that, unless the electrical charge is constantly renewed in an object, the effect is temporary—”
    â€œHa!” Grimes said. “And we do not yet know that it can ever be permanent.”
    At that moment a glass flask which was clinging to a corner of the ceiling suddenly fell to the floor with a crash. The two scientists paid no attention to it but went on arguing as if nothing had happened.
    â€œTime will tell,” said the Professor. “If we keep a small charge passing through some of these objects and observe them constantly during the next few weeks—”
    He broke off, seeing Danny for the first time.
    â€œI think it’s time we took a rest,” he said. “Hello, Dan. As you came in, did you happen to notice whether my shoe is still on the living-room ceiling?”
    â€œYes, it is, Professor.”
    The Professor rose to his feet. “Come, Dr. Grimes,” he said, “let’s declare a truce. I know I’m tired, and you have climbed up and down that ladder so often this afternoon that you must be quite worn out.”
    â€œNot at all,” said Grimes. “I feel very fresh.”
    But when he stood up, he was so tired that he staggered and had to steady himself on the back of the chair.
    They went into the living room. As they entered, the Professor’s shoe dropped from the ceiling. It landed at his feet with a thump. He picked it up.
    Danny said, “Professor! Maybe your other shoe will come falling back into the front yard!”
    â€œI’m afraid not,” Professor Bullfinch replied. “If it has not flown completely outside the zone of earth’s gravity and should come falling back, it would probably be burned up as it passed through the earth’s atmosphere, just as a meteorite is.” He shook his head. “Some people give their bodies to science. I have given a shoe. They were good shoes too.”
    Mrs. Dunn brought in some tea and toast, and some milk and cookies for Danny.
    â€œMom, have you seen those sentences I wrote yesterday for school?” Danny asked.
    â€œOh, oh!” his mother said. “I forgot and tucked them up on a shelf in the kitchen. Did you get into hot water over them?”
    Danny nodded. “I’m supposed to write fifty more saying, ‘I must remember to bring in my work.’ ”
    â€œOh, dear.” Mrs. Dunn patted her son’s shoulder. “We were so confused and excited last night that it’s a wonder we didn’t all forget our heads. I’ll phone Miss Arnold and explain that it was my fault. Perhaps she’ll let you off.”
    Professor Bullfinch was saying earnestly to Dr. Grimes, “How do you feel about music?”
    â€œWhy do you ask?”
    â€œWell, my favorite relaxation is the bull fiddle. I was wondering if you’d mind if I played some music.”
    For the first time since his arrival Dr. Grimes’s face softened. The angry look disappeared, his eyebrows rose, and slowly, as if it hurt him to do so, he smiled.
    â€œWell!” he said. “As it happens, I am very fond of music.”
    â€œGood,” said the Professor. “I’ll get my fiddle.”
    â€œI hope,” Dr.