“True enough, she does,” said the captain. “You have very sharp eyes, and now that the way is clear I am going to use full speed. Listen to the varied and peculiar tones the air makes as it rushes by.”
“Does it not sound weird?” said Ione.
“It makes me feel creepy and afraid,” said the Princess.
“Horrors! What is the matter now!” exclaimed Ione, for they had come to a sudden stop.
“Nothing,” calmly replied the captain, “only that we have reached our destination and I lessened the speed to allow the ship to sink quietly down into the enclosure we started from.”
“You mean to tell us we are really back!” they exclaimed in chorus. “Only a few minutes ago we were leagues away.”
“So we were but, if you remember, I said I intended using full speed,” replied the captain, “and behold the result. Distance was soon wiped out and time almost caught up with.”
“We can never thank you enough for this pleasant trip. We have given up entirely ever being able to pay our indebtedness to you for all the charming treats you have given us,” said the Princess.
“Do not thank me, for I have had equal joy in seeing the successful result of my inventions as well as witnessing your pleasure. And now before we part I wish to give you each a memento of the happy hours we have spent together. My gift cannot be delivered now, but some fine morning you will see floating above each of your homes an air-ship the exact counterpart of the one we are now in.”
They were all too touched by his generosity to be able to speak at first, but the Princess quickly recovered herself and walked shyly toward the old man. Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him. Ione did likewise while the Prince and Harold, with moistened eyes, gripped his hands in silent gratitude and appreciation, only saying that it was too much for him to do. But the old man only laughed and seemed exceedingly happy in knowing that he had been the means of giving them pleasure.