“Looks like you and Ralph have just about monopolized the front page,” said the gray-haired copyreader.
“I’d just as soon not be there,” said Tim.
“I know, I know,” said Watkins, “but it is all fine advertising for the News. Wonder if you chaps will get a raise or a bonus.”
“I wasn’t looking for either one when I decided to make the attempt,” said Tim. “I only thought of those poor folks in the valley who were faced with the loss of their homes if the jam broke.”
“I know you weren’t looking for personal gain or glory,” replied the copyreader, who had long been a friend and valued adviser of Tim’s. “You do what you think is right; that’s one reason why you are invaluable to the News. Last night the managing editor paced the floor every minute you were in the air. Keep at it, Tim, and one of these days you’ll be the managing editor of some large paper.”
After the noon edition was on the press the managing editor summoned Tim and Ralph to his desk.
“What about the condition of the Good News?” he asked Tim.
“You’ll have to pay for a complete repaint job, Mr. Carson,” said Tim. “The ship was badly scorched and smoked up when we got caught in the explosion over the flaming oil tanks. It ought to have the rigging thoroughly checked to see that nothing was sprung in the hard flying I did the rest of the day.”
“All right, Tim,” said the managing editor. “You and Ralph take the afternoon off, go out to the field, and get a crew started on the repainting. Never can tell when we’ll need the plane in another emergency and it has become invaluable.”
“Then the stories we’ve uncovered in the last year have justified the expense of the plane?” Tim asked eagerly.