"I simply can't understand you, Linda," she said when they were at the table. "When you could be having the time of your life this winter! With all the gayety here—and even this new flying club. Why you should want to go off to a school where you will have to mess up your hands with grease and machinery, and practically live in overalls, is beyond me."
"I know, Aunt Emily—I guess I do seem queer. But to me it's just the only thing to do. There's something inside me that makes me feel as if nothing else is so important—for me." Her eyes shone with ardor.
Mr. Carlton watched her admiringly.
"There isn't anything so great in this world," he said slowly, "as a splendid enthusiasm—a purpose in life. If I were a fairy god-mother, and could give a child only one gift, it would be that. Emily, we should bow down before it in admiration, and thank Heaven that Linda is so different from most of the young people today—still in their teens and bored with life."
"Oh, thank you, Daddy!" cried the girl. How wonderful it was to be understood!
"But imagine having her away from home all winter!" moaned Miss Carlton. "Or do you think I should close this house and go and board in St. Louis?"
"No, Emily, that won't be necessary," replied Mr. Carlton. "It would be a shame to take you away from your friends. Besides, Linda will have her Arrow. I see no reason why she shouldn't fly home every week-end, if she isn't too tired, or too busy."
"Yes, that will be lots nicer," agreed Linda. "Because then we'll have real Thanksgiving and Christmas just the same as ever. Can you picture those holidays in a boarding-house?"
Miss Carlton looked relieved, but she still disliked the whole idea. She raised another objection.
"Think of Linda alone in a big city like St. Louis," she said. "She's too young——"