Mr. Willing considered.
“Well,” he said at length, “I don’t know why we can’t do both of those things, Shirley.”
“But the ocean trip, Dad. Where would we go?”
“To San Francisco,” was the reply.
“But, how—”
“You must remember that the Panama Canal is open to traffic, daughter,” explained Mr. Willing. “We can take a steamer from New York direct to San Francisco. Besides, I should like to have a look at the canal, with its great locks and other interesting things. The construction of the canal is considered one of the greatest of all feats of engineering.”
Colonel Ashton nodded his head emphatically.
“I should like to take that trip myself,” he declared.
“Then we shall consider that matter settled,” said Mr. Willing.
“And when can we start, dad?” asked Shirley eagerly.