oilskins in a locker of the machine, and----"

"And here we are," finished Jess, shooting a "killing" glance from under
her hood at the good-looking young man at Peggy's side.

"Aren't you going to ask us in?" demanded Jimsy the next minute. "For
hospitality, I don't think you rate very high. We----"

"Well, you see, we are here ourselves without knowing if we have any right
to be," rejoined Peggy. "But come in and I'll explain. First of all, I
want you to meet Mr. Bradbury of the United States Navy. He came to test
the Prescott aeroplanes. Mr. Bradbury, this is Miss Bancroft, and her
brother----"

"Jimsy," put in that irrepressible youth. "Glad to meet you, sir. Almost
as much at sea here as in mid-Atlantic."

Laughing, they all entered the farm-house kitchen, while Peggy hastily
explained the state of affairs there.

"Well, so long as they don't put in an appearance before we get dry, I'm
sure I don't care," said Jimsy airily. "What a delightful old kitchen. It
might have come out of a picture book."

He and the naval officer were soon deep in conversation, leaving Peggy and
Jess alone.

"My dear Peggy," exclaimed Jess, with a smile that showed all her white
even teeth, "what will you do next? Don't you think it's a
bit--er--er--unconventional for one of the foremost members of Sandy