“And how long are you going to keep that up?” asked the thoughtful Mrs. Anderson. “What use is the thing going to be?”
This was a poser. The captain did not attempt an answer.
“I’d like a few more lessons, if I can get them,” suggested Andy.
“You can operate it now,” put in Roy, “if you do as I said.”
“Why do you want more lessons?” asked Mrs. Leighton in turn. “Are you thinking of becoming an aviator yourself?”
Roy smiled, and Andy’s jaws set. But the boy made no reply.
When Roy, the aeroplane cared for and the exciting flights having been discussed in all details, suggested that he might as well board the night train and proceed to Lake Worth, there was a protest on the part of all. The young aviator had already endeared himself to his Valkaria hosts. Finally, he was persuaded to stay over Sunday, with the promise of a sail on the Valkaria the next day.
Nearly all of Sunday was spent on the Valkaria. Saturday night and Sunday night, Roy and Andy slept in the boatshed, the captain returning to the house.
By the time the two boys went to sleep Sunday night they had become fast friends. It was arranged that the model of the bird-tail propeller was to be sent to Andy’s father in St. Paul that he might consult a patent lawyer concerning it. The boys were not so clear about the engine.
Roy had really no power to buy it outright for Mr. Atkinson before consulting that gentlemen. But he told Andy that he felt sure his employer would be eager to get the motor. Mr. Atkinson, he felt sure, would send his motor superintendent down to look at the engine, and Andy, in turn, assumed the power to give Roy and his friends an option on the engine, subject to examination. Andy was careful to secure Captain Anderson’s approval of these negotiations.