"A model," said Phaeton, "is a little one, with tunnel and all complete, to show how it works."
"But a tunnel," said Ned, "is a hole in the ground. You can't send a hole in the ground to the Patent-Office, no matter how small you make it."
"Oh, pshaw! Don't you understand? There would be a little wooden tube or shell, painted red, to represent the brick-work that the real tunnel would be arched in with."
"Well, what then?"
"I suppose it would cost about ten dollars to get up a model. If it's going to the Patent-Office it doesn't want to be botched up with a pocket-knife."
"Of course not," said Ned. "But the model will be only a beginning. It will take a great deal more money than that to build the real thing."
"Now you talk business," said Phaeton. "And I'm ready to talk with you. I've thought it all out. I got an idea from the way that Father says Mr. Drake manages to build so many houses."
"Let's hear about it."
"There are two ways to get the thing into operation. One is, to try it first in this town. You know we boys could dig the tunnel ourselves, and it wouldn't cost anything."
"Yes, I suppose so—if enough boys would take hold."