“Well, Daddy and I may fly over to Baronia to fetch you back,” said her mother. “We could come a week or two before it’s time for you to return to school, so we should see quite a bit of you!”
“Oh — that would be lovely!” said Nora and Peggy together, and the boys beamed in delight. “Will you come in the White Swallow?”
The White Swallow was the name given to Captain Arnold’s famous aeroplane. In it he and Mrs. Arnold had flown many thousands of miles, for they were both excellent pilots. They had had many adventures, and this was partly why they liked their children to go off on their own and have their own adventures too.
“It doesn’t do to coddle children too much and shelter them,” said Captain Arnold many a time to his wife. “We don’t want children like that — we want boys and girls of spirit and courage, who can stand on their feet and are not afraid of what may happen to them. We want them to grow up adventurous and strong, of some real use in the world! So we must not say no when a chance comes along to help them to be plucky and independent!”
“If we can grow up like you and Mummy, we shall be all right!” said Peggy. “You tried to fly all the way to Australia by yourselves in that tiny plane — and you’ve set up ever so many flying records. We ought to be adventurous children!”
“I think you are,” said her mother, with a laugh. “You’ve certainly had some marvellous adventures already — more than most children have all their lives long!”
When the car drew up at the door to take the children to the airport, they all clattered down the steps at once. “It’s a good thing it’s a big car!” said Mike. “Seven of us is quite a crowd!”
Everyone got in. The car set off at a good speed, and soon came to the big airport. It swept in through the gates. Mike, who was looking out of the window, gave a loud shout.
“There’s your aeroplane, Paul! I can see it. It’s the smartest one on the air-field.”
“And the loveliest,” said Nora, looking in delight at the beautiful plane towards which they were racing. It was bright blue with silver edges, and it shone brilliantly in the sun. The car stopped a little way from it. Everyone got out. Paul gave a yell.