"You are advertised to exhibit the new Hydro-Aircraft the first day of the meet—that's Monday," he announced. "Do you think you can master the mechanism by that time?"
"Is it the same old engine, Steve?" she inquired.
"Exactly the same, except that I've altered the controlling levers, to make them handy both in the air and on water, and balanced the weight a little differently, to allow for the boat attachment."
"How did you do that?"
"Placed the gasoline tanks in the rear. That makes the engine feed from the back, instead of from directly overhead, you see."
Orissa nodded.
"I think I can manage it, Mr. Cumberford," she decided. "Will Steve go with me on Monday?"
"Why—no," returned the manager, a trifle embarrassed. "Our fool press agent had an idea the event would be more interesting if two girls made the flight out to sea, and the trip back by boat. Sybil has been crazy to go, and so I let Chesty Todd have his own way."
"You see, Miss Kane," added Mr. H. Chesterton Radley-Todd, who was seated beside Mr. Cumberford, while Stephen and the two girls rode behind, "the management of the meet couldn't get another aviatress to take part, because you had been engaged to fly. The other air-maids are all jealous of your reputation and popularity, I guess, so the management was in despair. The dear public is daffy, just now, to watch a female risk her precious life; it's more thrilling than when a male ventures it. So, as they're paying us pretty big money, and Miss Cumberford was anxious to go, I—er—er—I——"
"It is quite satisfactory to me," announced Orissa quietly. "I shall enjoy having Sybil with me."