Mike hung his head. Mike was always proud of keeping his word. It was the atmosphere again. It changed Mike.
Edith cheered him by going to him with outstretched hand, and saying in her sweet, musical voice: “Thank you ever so much, Mr. Connor.”
Mike’s face brightened and he took off his cap gallantly, saying: “The pleasure was mine, Miss O’Neill.”
DUNLUCE CASTLE.
After Edith and her parents were gone I asked Mike about the flight.
“Capital, Jack, capital,” Mike said with enthusiasm, “I tell you Jack, there are few girls like Edith.”
I noticed that he had unconsciously used her first name.
He then gave me some details of the flight. On the return trip, they had paused to circle around Dunluce Castle, and then they had followed the electric railway to the Causeway. This electric railway from Portrush to the Causeway was the first electric railroad that was successfully operated in the world. It was built in 1883, being designed by Sir William Siemens. Formerly it was operated with the third rail, but now it is an overhead trolley. As they were flying along this railroad, about 40 feet high, they overtook a crowded car. When the astonished passengers saw them fly past, their enthusiasm knew no bounds. Edith enjoyed the greeting and waved her handkerchief in return.
Mike wanted to remain a few days longer at the Causeway, but when I told him that Mr. O’Neill had told me he was called back to Dublin the next day, and that his family would accompany him, he decided to start the next day himself.