“Including the risk of my own life,” retorted Bud. “Look here, Mr. Elder, I wouldn’t get excited over what T. Glenn Dare thinks. He has good reason to find fault with me.”
The fair official made a new gesture of impatience.
“That’s neither here nor there. Going up that way was a crazy thing to do, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
Bud looked at the ground a moment. Then he said:
“That’s my usual luck, Mr. Elder. I don’t make any excuses. I see I’m in the wrong, and I’ll take the short cut out. I haven’t hurt your airship, and there she is. Mr. T. Glenn Dare is here ready to take charge of it. I thank you for the chance you gave me.”
Bud started away.
“Here, Bud! Come here!”
Bud paused, but he did not return. “I guess we don’t need you any more, but there ain’t no call to go ’way mad.”
“You said I ought to be ashamed of myself. I’m going where I can feel ashamed without attracting attention.”
Bud smiled, and Mr. Elder looked a little embarrassed.