“Taking Mom?”
“I do not believe I had better. I have no idea the sort of places I shall be compelled to visit and I do not want to take her where she may not be comfortable. There is always a risk. If it were earlier in the winter, I should not hesitate, but it is a long trip, will take weeks, and while I can rely upon my men to look after things here, I do not see how I can get back before very late spring,” he said, as if he were thinking the matter over instead of discussing it.
“Why don’t you go by airplane?” the boy asked. “Goodness, Dad, no sense in wasting weeks.”
“Humph. That is a good suggestion, but I do not know that the air service will help me. Although, come to think of it, I read recently that they are running trips to the southern part of Chile—perhaps I can get some information on the—”
“I say, Dad, what’s the matter with you? We have two planes right here on the ranch. Furthermore, you can fly yours—”
“After a fashion. I should not think of attempting anything so—”
“No, of course not. I was just thinking that you could help out some of the time. You aren’t like a tenderfoot in the air. We’ll take you in the “Lark”—and it will be a grand lark—”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” his father hesitated.
“Didn’t we go traipsing all over the United States and Canada?”
“You did, and got into all sort of things,” Mr. Austin chuckled. “This would have to be a very serious trip, few stop-overs, and return home just as soon as I conclude my business. I don’t know about taking you away from your studies.”