Part 6 (2/2)
”Oh, that's all right, Tom,” and Ned tried to make his voice sound natural. ”I was just wondering, that's all. I wanted to go to the front the worst way, but they wouldn't let me. I was sort of hoping you could, and come back to tell me about it.”
”I may yet, Ned.”
”You may? Why, I thought--”
”Oh, I'm only exempted for a time. I've got certain things to do, and I couldn't do 'em if I enlisted or was drafted. So I've been excused for a time. Now I've got a pile of work to do. What are you up to Ned? Same old story?”
”Liberty Bonds--yes. Your father just took some more.”
”And so will I, Ned. I can do that, anyhow, even if I don't enlist. Put me down for another two thousand dollars' worth.”
”Say, Tom, that's fine! That will make my share bigger than I counted on. Shopton will beat the record.”
”That's good. We ought to pull strong and hearty for our home town.
How's everything else?”
”Oh, so-so. I see Koku and Eradicate trying to outdo one another in guarding that part of your plant,” and Ned nodded toward the big new building.
”Yes, I had to let Rad play detective. Not that he can do anything--he's too old. But it keeps him and Koku from quarreling all the while. I've got to be pretty careful about that shop. It's got a secret in it that--Well, the less said about it the better.”
”You're getting my curiosity aroused, Tom,” remarked Ned.
”It'll have to go unsatisfied for a while. Wait a bit and I'll give you a ride. I've got to go over to Sackett on business, and if you're going that way I'll take you.”
”What in?”
”The Hawk.”
”That's me!” cried Ned. ”I haven't been in an aircraft for some time.”
”Tell Miles to run her out,” requested Tom. ”I've got to go in and say h.e.l.lo to dad a minute, and then I'll be with you.”
”Seems like something was in the wind, Tom--big doings?” hinted Ned.
”Yes, maybe there is. It all depends on how she turns out.”
”You might be speaking of the Hawk or--Mary Nestor!” said Ned, with a sidelong look at his chum.
”As it happens, it's neither one,” said Tom, and then he hastened away, to return shortly and guide his fleet little airs.h.i.+p, the Hawk, on her aerial journey.
From then on, at least for some time, neither Tom nor Ned mentioned the matters they had been discussing--Tom's failure to enlist, his exemption, and what was being built in the closely guarded shop.
Tom's business in Sackett did not take him long, and then he and Ned went for a little ride in the air.
”It's like old times!” exclaimed Ned, his eyes s.h.i.+ning, though Tom could not see them for two reasons. One was that Ned was sitting behind him, and the other was that Ned wore heavy goggles, as did the young pilot. Also, they had to carry on their talk through the speaking tube arrangement.
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