_Extract of Lemon._
Phil thought it would be an improvement, and so poured the whole
contents of the vial into the boiling molasses.
His task was soon over, and the candy was taken off, and poured into
dishes to cool. There was only a little, but it was hoped that this
might suffice for the present.
At length they ventured to taste it. But the first taste excited one
universal cry of execration. The taste was of rancid oil, and not by
any means the smooth, sweet, delicious lemon-flavored molasses candy for
which they had waited so long. In bitter disappointment and vexation,
Phil seized the vial which Pat had handed him. He smelt it; he poured
some of the last drops out on his hand, and touched it.
“Boys,” said he, with a rueful look, “the steward of the Petrel must
have taken a lemon bottle to keep his hair-oil in.”
And all the boys retired from the cook’s galley with a mournful smile.