“But your father has to furnish it. Then there’s your car fare; I’m afraid we can’t afford it.”
Roy sprang up and patted his mother on the cheek.
“Mother,” he exclaimed, with a reassuring laugh, “I’m going to be worth so much more than that to the Utah Mining and Development Company that this little hundred or so dollars’ll be only a drop in the bucket. I’ll get it all back for father with good interest. And if you’ll promise to quit worryin’ about what I’m goin’ to do or the expenses of it, I’ll—I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” added Mrs. Osborne, smiling.
“Why, I’ll—I’ll take you out to Chicago this winter to see Uncle Tom. And I’ll pay all your expenses.”
The next moment the enthusiastic boy was clattering down the steps on his way to the factory.
[CHAPTER V]
THE CONTRACT AND THE CAR
On his way across the city to the aeroplane factory, Roy stopped at the railroad offices and found that the fare to Dolores in Colorado was fifty-seven dollars, with ten dollars additional for sleeping-car accommodations. Reaching the company shops, he made his way at once to the assembling room, where he found his father directing a squad of men who were setting up an airship. Roy, stepping to his father’s side, whispered: