The Beginning Of The Adventures
One bright sunny morning, very early, four children stood on the rough grass of a big airfield, watching two men busily checking the engines of a gleaming white aeroplane.
The children looked rather forlorn, for they had come to say good-bye to their father and mother, who were to fly themselves to Africa.
“It’s fun having a famous father and mother who do all kinds of marvellous flying feats,” said Mike. “But it’s not such fun when they go away to far-off countries!”
“Well, they’ll soon be back,” said Nora, Mike’s twin sister. “It will only be a week till we see them again.”
“I somehow feel it will be longer than that,” said Mike gloomily.
“Oh, don’t say things like that!” said Peggy. “Make him stop, Jack!”
Jack laughed and slapped Mike on the shoulder. “Cheer up!” he said. “A week from today you’ll be here again to welcome them back, and there will be cameramen and newspaper men crowding round to take your picture — son of the most famous air-pilots in the world!”
The children’s father and mother came up, dressed in flying suits. They kissed and hugged the children.
“Now, don’t worry about us,” said their mother. “We shall soon be back. You will be able to follow our flight by reading what the newspapers say every day. We will have a fine party when we come home, and you shall all stay up till eleven o’clock!”