"Oh, yes, I know, Tom. It may be all right for you, but I've
never been up in this kind of airship before, and I want to know
if it's safe for me."

The young man leaned over the edge of the padded cockpit, and
clasped in his rather grimy hand the neatly gloved one of the
young lady. And though the glove was new, and fitted the hand
perfectly, there was no attempt to withdraw it. Instead, the
young lady seemed to be very glad indeed that her hand was in
such safe keeping.

"Mary!" exclaimed the young man, "if it wasn't safe--as safe as
a church--I wouldn't dream of taking you up!" and at the mention
of "church" Mary Nestor blushed just the least bit. Or perhaps it
was that the prospective excitement of the moment caused the
blood to surge into her cheeks. Have it as you will.

"Come, Mary! you're not going to back out the last minute, are
you?" asked Tom Swift. "Everything is all right. I've made a
trial flight, and you've seen me come down as safely as a bird.
You promised to go up with me. I won't go very high if you don't
like it, but my experience has been that, once you're off the
ground, it doesn't make any difference how high you go. you'll
find it very fascinating. So skip along to the house, and Mrs.
Baggert will help you get into your togs."

"Shall I have to wear all those things--such as you have on?"
asked Mary, blushing again.