Mary was not her usual, spontaneous, jolly self, and Tom realized
it.

"Well, here we are!" he announced a little later, as they
soared above a level field not far from her home. "Sorry I can't
let you down right on your roof, but it isn't flat enough nor big
enough."

"Oh, I don't mind a little walk, especially as I didn't have to
hike it all the way in from Bailey Corners," she said, referring
to the place of the automobile accident. "I suppose the time will
come when everybody who now has an auto will have an airship and
a landing place, or a starting place, for it at his own door,"
she added.

"Either that, or else we'll have airships so compact that they
can set off and land in as small a space as an auto now
requires," said Tom. "The latter would be the best solution, as
one great disadvantage of airships now is the manner of starting
and stopping. It's too big."

Tom left his Air Scout in a field owned by Mr. Nestor, where he
had often landed before, and walked up to the house with Mary.

"Oh, I'm glad you're back!" exclaimed Mrs. Nestor, when she saw
the two coming up the steps.

"You weren't worried, were you, after Ned telephoned?" asked
Tom.