“I happened to be around, and there was no one else to send at the time. The reason it was delayed was that the engine at the works went wild.” “Is that so? Tell me about it.” Ben had not calculated on a casual remark leading to a particular explanation. Before he was aware of it he had pretty nearly recited the whole story of the belt mishap at the Saxton shop. “They ought to do something pretty fine for you, those people,” suggested Mr. Davis. “I am certainly very much obliged to you for your share in[Pg 22] getting this machine part to me. I suppose some day you will go to work at the Saxton plant?” [Pg 22] “I am making drafting a special study,” replied Ben, “and I would like to start in at the model desk in the pattern rooms after school is over.” “Do you follow after your father in the invention line, Ben?” asked Mr. Davis seriously. “I would like to,” answered Ben. “I hardly think it is in me, though, Mr. Davis. I once got up a perpetual motion machine.” Mr. Davis smiled, so did Ben. “Yes,” nodded the latter gaily, “it perpetuated until I had to start it again. The only practical thing I ever did was a whistle which I made out of a simple piece of tin.” “Patented it, did you?” “Oh, dear, no,” explained Ben. “I made it for a friend of mine. He could warble on it like a mocking bird. I never saw anybody else who could, though. There was a certain knack about it that he could get, it seemed. Can I look over that book, Mr. Davis?” Ben was soon immersed in the drawings before him. His companion seemed greatly pleased at his interest in them. Once or twice, too, he took occasion to commend Ben for some comment or suggestion he made concerning the models. “Why,” he said as they came to the last drawing[Pg 23] of a superb machine, “you seem to have done some digging in the aeroplane line.” [Pg 23] “Oh, all I know is second hand,” declared Ben. “My father believes that the coming motor is the aeroplane, and has done some experimenting in that line. I have taken a great delight in watching him and helping
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