"Uh, huh," grunted Roger skeptically, for never had he had the sum of twenty-five dollars to do what he chose with, and he set about banishing the thought of flying from his mind for many years to come.
There was no lack of passengers at any sum the aviator chose to ask, it seemed. All the Morton children were on the beach regularly at every flight and they saw man after man and woman after woman ascend. The novices always wore a nervously doubtful smile as they left the familiar ties of earth and water behind them and a laugh of delight as they came back unafraid and joyous.
"It looks as if it must be the most perfect feeling that you could have," sighed Ethel Blue as they watched a beaming woman approach over the water and then come down from her seat beside the air chauffeur. "I'm like Roger—I could almost die happy if I could have just one fly."
"The airman has offered a prize for the best name for his machine," Ethel Brown read from the Daily at breakfast one morning.
"Don't I wish I could get it!" ejaculated Roger.
"Or I!" "Or I!" "Or I!" came from Helen and Ethel Brown and Ethel Blue.
"It was Dicky's notion. He suggested it to Mr. Graham by asking him what the name of his bird was. He ought to give a prize to Dicky for putting the idea into his head," said Roger.
"Or to some member of Dicky's family who would enjoy the ride more," added Mr. Emerson slyly.
"What would be a good name for it?" wondered Mrs. Emerson.
"Hummer," said Roger. "It makes such a humming noise."