Disappointed looks and expressions followed this prophecy. The doctor’s pupils could just as well have predicted such an outlook without the assistance of older heads, but they were naturally optimistic.
“But don’t be discouraged, boys,” added the aviator. “Your time will come sooner or later. Maybe you’ll be afraid to go up with me when you see the airship all finished. It—”
“Yes we will!” “I wouldn’t!” “You don’t know me!” were some of the brave interruptions.
“It won’t look very safe,” was the aviator’s warning. “Pretty thin and flimsy.”
“I don’t care; I’ll go up in anything you will,” cried Frank Bowler, who had listened to the conversation in silence up to this time. He was gradually regaining his former nerve and bluster, but his voice did not yet have a natural ring.
“What will the new aeroplane look like?” asked Hal Kenyon.
Most of the boys by this time had spent their enthusiasm and settled down to quieter attention. Seated on the grass, they waited eagerly for the answer to Kenyon’s question. By this time a good crowd of boys had joined the audience.
“I may as well give you your first lesson in aeroplane building right now,” began the aviator, shifting slightly to ease his crippled limb. “First, do you all know what a biplane is?”
“It’s an airship,” said one.
“No, it’s an aeroplane,” corrected another.