“Yes, it is a great improvement. And the new style seam-lacings hold perfectly. What are you going to name the ship, by the way?”
“I selected half a dozen names that sounded good to me,” said Mr. Hammond. “Hammond High-flyer, Harkaway, and some others, but daughter Dulcie objected. Made such a fuss that I said she could name it herself.”
“What were her contributions?” asked Colonel Porter with a smile. He knew Dulcie Hammond.
“She didn’t bother with a choice. She says the ship is named Moonbeam.”
“It is a splendid name. Harry, you don’t know how fine that ship is going to be. She will be the most beautiful ship in the air.”
“I want her to be,” said Mr. Hammond with a dogged, grim look that Colonel Porter knew of old. “I am planning to show that ship to the world, Port. She has got to be perfect. What do you think of following the course of the Graf Zeppelin, for a starter, and beating the G. Z.’s time?”
Colonel Porter whistled.
“I think it would be all right. Her maiden flight, eh? I wonder if she can do it.”
“Nothing like trying, is there? When will she be ready to fly?”
Colonel Porter reflected.