Oliver hurried over and used the sleeve of his overalls to wipe the lens. The thick, black muck started to come off onto his sleeve, and Oliver saw as he cleaned it that a blurred image was starting to appear on the screen.

He couldnt believe it. The machine had worked all along! It had just been the dirty lens obscuring the image, projecting back nothing but its blackened surface.

I did it, Oliver muttered, too stunned to really believe it.

He kept wiping the lens, amazed to see more of the picture appear. It grew ever clearer the more he removed the dirt. With the irrefutable evidence emerging before his eyes, it began to dawn on Oliver that the invention was a success. That hed done it.

He looked over at Armando. The old inventor looked thrilled. Hope made Oliver suddenly buoyant. He felt tears begin to well in his eyes.

Does that mean… he began, his voice thick with emotion, that I can stay?

Yes, Armando confirmed with a nod. You can stay. Then he added, with stern emphasis, For now.

The qualifier did nothing to quell Olivers excitement. He just couldnt contain himself. He leapt up and down on the spot, punching the air, whooping and hollering.

I did it! he cried, running in triumphant circuits around the room. I did it!

Armando chuckled but kept a more tempered response. I feel with your determination and thoroughness, not to mention the enormity of your brain power, well, Id be foolish to send you away rather than nurture your talents.

Oliver stopped running, halting in front of the inventor and gazing up at his hero. He was so overwhelmed with gratitude, he wanted to throw his arms around the old man. But he held back. It didnt seem appropriate.

What now? he asked, overjoyed that hed really done it, that hed proven himself. What do you want me to work on next? How about the invisibility coat?

Olivers fear had given way to excitement. All he wanted to do now was get going. But Armando shook his head with good humor.

Youre getting ahead of yourself, my boy. I need to see how you get along first. With actual inventions, rather than theoretically possible but practically impossible ones. We must start with the basics.

Whatever you want, Oliver said. Im ready to learn. Lets start right now.

Armando smiled kindly. Of course. Come with me. We will work on more things and see how you get along. Then we can discuss what to do with you on a more long-term basis.

Oliver felt like he was walking on air as he followed Armando to a corner of the factory. Here, there was a workbench set up with a whole array of toolssaws, clamps, and filesand a range of materialswood, metal, and plastic. Oliver gingerly touched his fingers against them, delighted by the prospect of soon using them.