“That?” repeated the captain. “Why,—but here’s the house.”
“Tell me just one thing,” pleaded the excited boy. “Is the aero-catamaran a boat?”
“A kind of a boat—or was,” laughed the captain.
“And it belonged to my uncle?”
“I made the boat, but your uncle made the engine, and I gave him the boat—no power-boats for me.”
“Can I have it?” blurted out Andy.
“Andrew!” broke in Mrs. Leighton. “What do you mean? I’m ashamed of you.”
“I meant,” began Andy, abashed, “that I’d like to see it and—and run it.”
“Of course,” laughed the captain. “I understand. Well, anyway, it’s no use to me. I know nothing about engines.”
Just then the party reached the cottage. Mrs. Anderson waited for no introductions. In a few minutes Mrs. Leighton and Andy were seated in a summery living room. While Mrs. Leighton protested over the unexpected hospitality and Mrs. Anderson removed her guest’s wraps, Captain Anderson could be heard starting anew the fire in the kitchen cook stove.