This I did. I came down in a rapid spiral over Holly Farm and, circling the field twice, alighted carefully, facing the front of the house. Unable to judge the distance exactly we, of course, bumped along a little, but I succeeded in steadying her, and a moment later we were stationary on terra-firma after nearly two hours and a quarter in the air.
Instantly I shut off the engine and then, turning to Roseye, uttered the first word.
“Well?” I asked, taking her gloved hand in mine.
“Splendid, Claude!” she cried enthusiastically.
“Splendid! Absolutely splendid!”
I saw that she was pinched with cold, half-frozen indeed, and very cramped, therefore I unstrapped her, and lifted her out into the arms of old Theed, who came running up to us.
Then I hopped out myself and, taking my love’s arm, we walked up to the farm where we were soon before the huge log fire in the farmer’s best room, while Theed went round to extinguish the lamps.
Then, as we stood before the fire to thaw, still in our flying clothes, I drew her dear face towards mine and kissed her fondly upon the lips.
“I wonder why Teddy sent us away for an hour, as he did?” she queried.
“Don’t know, dearest,” was my reply. “He’ll be back very shortly, and will tell us what happened.”