But even after that we have to wash
the sugar by various processes. After it has been separated,
clarified, and filtered it comes out a clear white liquid, and is
ready for the vacuum pans, where the water is evaporated and the
sugar crystallized."
"How do you get the liquid clear?" asked Bob.
"After it has been skimmed as carefully as possible we first settle
it through the agency of chemicals," answered Mr. Hennessey. "We use
milk of lime as a foundation, but we put other things with it. Our
exact formula is a secret, but since you are in the family I guess
there would be no objection to my telling you that we use---"
"Don't tell us! Don't tell us!" cried Van suddenly. "I don't want to
know. I'd rather not. I mustn't listen."
Covering his ears the boy turned away.
His companions regarded him with amazement.
"Don't tell me, Mr. Hennessey," he pleaded. "Don't tell me anything
that is secret. I can't listen. It wouldn't be right."
It was evident both to the superintendent and to Bob that his
distress was real, and although neither of them understood it Mr.
Hennessey cut short his explanation.
Try as they would the strange interruption left a jarring note
behind it, and to ease the tenseness the older man stepped forward
and, taking from a rack near by one of several glass tubes filled
with yellow liquid, held it up to the light.
"You see much must still be done to this stuff before it comes out
white," he said. "We squeeze the liquid through a series of filter
bags and also send it through other filters filled with black bone
coal.
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