I tried this and that, blending yellow with white powders and obtaining brown, mixing crystals with powders and getting dust, combining liquids with solids and making mud.
Although I broke test tubes and played about with chemicals for fun, I did occasionally manage to obey the teacher's instructions as well; repeating experiments that others had long ago undertaken.
"You seem kind of worn down lately, is everything all right?" "Oh, it's my daughter. She's all grown up now, so I'm worried about all sorts of things."