"Wha' de matter?" demanded his wife, noticing his wildly staring eyes and open mouth; "you gone fool crazy?"
"M-m-m-m-mandy, it's true! It's true!" gasped Uncle Jupe.
"Wha's true,—dat you all's crazy?"
"Yes—no, it's 'bout dem flyin' things. Dey's comin'. Come and look wid your own eyes."
Mandy shuffled out. There, sure enough, coming toward them, was a flock of what at first sight appeared to be immense birds. But it was the young sky cruisers nearing their destination.
On the porch Mr. Parker stood up and waved his newspaper. Ten minutes later the aëroplanes came to earth in the smooth front lawn, while Uncle Jupe restrained a strong inclination to run away.
"Dey ain't canny, dem things," he declared; "ef de Lord had wanted us to fly he'd have given us wings, I guess.
"Yes, sir, he'd sure have given us wings des de same as angels hev," he repeated musingly.