most agreeable to you?"

"Why--er--er--" began Mr. Hodges, hesitatingly, "the thing that my
daughter and I are most interested in is your line of boats. In fact,
we came over to Colfax to see what we could of the boats and the tests.
Now, my daughter and I would both like very much to go aboard one of
your boats. Yet, if this would be at all irregular, or cause you any
inconvenience, I beg you to refuse us, and we shall understand your
refusal."

None the less, the shipbuilder did feel and look embarrassed.

"I wish it were anything else on earth," Farnum replied, frankly. "For,
though it gives me more pain than you can understand, my dear Mr. Hodges,
it will be absolutely impossible for us to admit anyone to the submarine
boats during the present tests."

"Then say no more about it," replied Mr. Hodges, pleasantly. "I can
quite understand your position."

"There is just a bare chance, though," mused the shipbuilder, "that I
might manage to obtain an invitation for your daughter and yourself to
go out on one of the gunboats, and watch the submarine craft at their
work."

"Fine!" cried Hodges, with enthusiasm. "Yet, if it will inconvenience
you in the least, Mr. Farnum, I beg you to give no further thought to
it. Will you all, as soon as you are finished, come to the ladies'
parlor with me? My daughter will be most delighted at meeting real
submarine people."