Wish school was over , so the boys would come in ; doctor said I might see them now . '' `` They 'll be along by and by , and I 'll hail them . Till then , what shall we do ? I 'm your man for anything , only put a name to it . '' `` Just wish I had a telegraph or a telephone , so I could talk to Jill . Would n't it be fun to pipe across and get an answer ! '' `` I 'll make either you say ; '' and Frank looked as if trifles of that sort were to be had for the asking . `` Could you , really ? '' `` We 'll start the telegraph first , then you can send things over if you like , '' said Frank , prudently proposing the surest experiment . `` Go ahead , then . I 'd like that , and so would Jill , for I know she wants to hear from me . '' `` There 's one trouble , though ; I shall have to leave you alone for a few minutes while I rig up the ropes ; '' and Frank looked sober , for he was a faithful boy , and did not want to desert his post . `` Oh , never mind ; I wo n't want anything . If I do , I can pound for Ann . '' `` And wake mother . I 'll fix you a better way than that ; '' and , full of inventive genius , our young Edison spliced the poker to part of a fishing-rod in a jiffy , making a long-handled hook which reached across the room . `` There 's an arm for you ; now hook away , and let 's see how it works , '' he said , handing over the instrument to Jack , who proceeded to show its unexpected capabilities by hooking the cloth off the table in attempting to get his handkerchief , catching Frank by the hair when fishing for a book , and breaking a pane of glass in trying to draw down the curtain . `` It 's so everlasting long , I ca n't manage it , '' laughed Jack , as it finally caught in his bed-hangings , and nearly pulled them , ring and all , down upon his head . `` Let it alone , unless you need something very much , and do n't bother about the glass . It 's just what we want for the telegraph wire or rope to go through .
Keep still , and I 'll have the thing running in ten minutes ; '' and , delighted with the job , Frank hurried away , leaving XXXXX to compose a message to send as soon as it was possible .
Ann Edison Frank Jack Jill bed-hangings first fishing-rod minutes trifles