“We aren’t there yet,” said David cautiously.
“You are Scotch, aren’t you?” laughed Mr. Hammond. “I congratulate you, David, with all my heart. It is wonderful, absolutely wonderful! I’m as proud of you as though you were my own boy. Where are those specifications? I want to look them over again. David, I’m certainly delighted.” He shook hands heartily, as David, with a light heart, handed him the envelope.
Red joined David in the control room later. He was laughing.
“Confess now, David, that it would have been a black deal to leave the Big Fella out in the dark any longer. I met him just now. He’s crazy glad. The engineers are havin’ a celebration, too. In every egg they are all leanin’ over their engines, oiling and wiping and testing, for fear she might slow down. And they are all remindin’ each other that they are personal friends of the famous Captain Ellison of the good ship Moonbeam. This must be Newcastle coming,” he added, dodging David’s left. “It is three o’clock.”
As they passed over, Mr. Hammond came in and peered at the indicator.
“She’s making one hundred and ten miles!” he said shakily.
“It’s all right, sir,” laughed David.
“Come to my room; I want to talk to you.”
He closed the door, and motioned David to a seat.
“I’ve been figuring this thing out, and I want to make you an offer. I have made out a rough agreement for you to sign unless, of course, you want to consult a lawyer.”