“That?” protested Mrs. Graham with but little more than a glance. “Well, Frank can just stay right at home. It’s a shame for you two men to make light of such a serious thing. Just as if an old gun had anything to do with your son and nephew risking his life in that flying machine. I’m sure Captain Ludington approves of my sentiments. Don’t you, Captain?”
“Quite so, quite so, to be sure,” exclaimed the captain, hastily withdrawing his eyes from the beautiful new gun.
“And you, Lord Pelton?” the mischievous lady added quickly.
“I beg pardon, O,—er,—ah, yes, of course. Just as you say, Mrs. Graham. I’m quite sure you are right.”
Mr. Mackworth laughed outright.
“All right, sister, if you say ‘no,’ why, ‘no’ it is,” he said. “But just notice how seriously all these gentlemen, including your son, take this important question. See how concerned they are?” All the men and Frank were adjusting the parts of the gun.
“I suppose you think that is the way to bring me over,” Mrs. Graham answered with a smile.
“By no means,” was Mr. Mackworth’s response. “I’m just going to ask you to let him go because I tell you it is all right.”
“Well, then,” laughed his sister, “of course he can go. But you must look after his chum Phil, too. His mother depends on him. You’d better pay him for his time—”
“It’s a bargain, then?”