“We will, Dad. I don’t know that there are any new developments. I’ll ask Ned. But Plum has orders to look after that case to the best of his ability. Now I suppose you want to get back to your book, don’t you?”
“If you don’t mind, Son,” answered Mr. Swift, with an anxious look toward his desk which was littered with papers. The talk had taken place in the older inventor’s private office.
“All right, I’ll leave you with your pet,” laughed Tom, for the new book was Mr. Swift’s chief joy and pride. “But I’d like to have a talk with you this evening, Dad.”
“By all means, Tom. I’ll be free then. Come and chat. But just now I want to finish that chapter on hydraulics. I find it most fascinating, and I am using some of the data you evolved when you built the big submarine.”
“Yes, I fancy we discovered a new principle or two there,” answered Tom, with justifiable pride. “And you’re welcome to quote me at any length you wish, Dad,” he finished, with a laugh.
“All right!” chuckled the old inventor. “You’re somewhat of an authority, Tom, on a few subjects.”
Mr. Swift plunged into his literary work before Tom had reached the door on his way out, so eager was he to resume work on his book, and Tom was glad his father had something of this sort to interest him and give him an object in the declining years of his life.
“Tom, what say, we go to a ball game this afternoon?” suggested Ned when the young inventor returned to his office. “It’s too nice a day to work.”
Tom glanced out at the sunlight dancing over the green grass. He looked at his paper-laden desk and then at the clock.
“Ned,” he suddenly exclaimed, “I’m with you! And if you weren’t already drawing a bigger salary than you’ll ever be worth, I’d give you an advance for the valuable suggestion. How about you, Mr. Newton? Will you come to the game?” he went on, thinking to take the man’s mind from his trouble over the missing Liberty Bonds.