The chief engineer, who all this time had gone on cutting, laid down his shears on the pattern.
"Let's see it," said he.
Phaeton produced his drawing, spread it out before him, and explained it.
"Why, boy," said the chief engineer, "you couldn't—and yet, perhaps, you could—it never would—and still it might—there would be no—but I'm not so sure about that. Let me study this thing."
He planted his elbows on the table, each side of the drawing, brought his head down between his hands, buried his fingers in the mass of his hair, and looked intently at the picture for some minutes.
"Where did you get this?" said he, at last.
"I drew it," said Phaeton; "it's my invention."
"And what do you want me to do about it?"
"I thought perhaps you could help me in getting it into use."
"Just so! Well, leave it with me, and I'll think it over, and you can call again in a few days."