“A fine time to think of that!” Carol laughed. “You didn’t really think you would get the prize, did you?”
“Well, I considered it,” Janet said diffidently. “By the way, who did get it?”
It seemed none of the girls knew and the interest in the award died out when Stubby appeared with the information that neither Brent Stockton nor Gale had yet returned.
“I never thought Gale would miss all this,” Valerie declared.
“Nor Mr. Stockton,” added Phyllis. “I wonder where they are.”
“Maybe they eloped,” Carol said brightly hopeful.
“Do you really think so?” Janet asked eagerly.
“Of course they didn’t!” Phyllis said shortly. She turned to Stubby. “What are you going to do about the race? It must be something terribly important to keep Mr. Stockton away when this is so important to him.”
Stubby squinted up at the sun, then at the other planes already warming up on the field. He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his greasy overalls.
“I s’pose I’ll have to fly her,” he said slowly.