Miss Carlton still insisted that she would never get into a plane, not even Linda's. "It's too dangerous," she objected, when her niece was begging her to go for a ride. "I might be killed--and then who would take care of you? And besides, I don't see how anybody could learn to fly in the short time you've been at it."
"But Aunt Emily," explained Linda patiently, "it really is easier than driving a car. Once you are off the ground, the plane practically flies itself. And the higher you are, the safer."
"I can't believe that, dear. Because the higher you are, the farther you have to fall!"
"But you have all that chance to regain control of your plane," insisted her niece. "Crashes practically always come on the ground--it's very rare indeed that two planes crash in the air, even when they are flying in Army formation."
"How soon do you think you'll get your license?" inquired Miss Carlton, showing that Linda's words had made no impression at all upon her. She was anxious to get away now; Spring City was becoming very hot.
"Any time now," replied the girl, her eyes shining with anticipation. "I have done all the required solo flying--and more too."
"Solo flying? Do you mean you've been up alone? Without even Ralph?"
"Yes, of course! And I love it, Aunt Emily! Oh, if you could just try it once, you'd never be afraid again. It is the most wonderful sensation--up in the skies, all alone! Free as a bird!" She paused abruptly, smiling at her own enthusiasm. She did not often talk like this to anybody, though there was a great deal of poetry in her make-up.
"Well, dear, I'm glad you like it," said Miss Carlton, in a matter-of-fact tone. "But don't overdo it. And don't go in for any stunts."
Ralph Clavering, who had been making it his habit to come over to see Linda every evening, now that all his other friends had gone away, arrived on the porch in time to hear Miss Carlton's admonition. He was about to say something, for he was very proud of his successful "acrobatic flying," when he caught Linda's frown of warning. Of course there was no use of worrying the timid woman, who was worried enough already.
He sat on the railing, dangling his legs, and carelessly lighting a cigarette, as if he were very much at home.