We haven't money for tires and gas both."

"We'll go as fast as we can, and maybe we can get there before
the tires bust," said Grandpa, trying to be gay.

Jimmie didn't try. "I liked it here," he mumbled. "I bet Pedro'll
cry if we go away. He can print his first name now, but how's he
ever going to learn 'Serafini'?"





9: SETH THOMAS STRIKES TWELVE

At once Daddy and Grandpa set to work on the Reo. It was an
"orphan" car, no longer made, and its parts were hard to replace;
so the men were always watching the junkyards for other old Reos.
They had learned a great deal about the car in these months, and
they soon had it on the road again.

"Give you long enough," said Grandma, "and you'll cobble new
soles on its tires and patch its innards. Looks like it's held
together with hairpins now."

Daddy drove with one ear cocked for trouble, and when anyone
spoke to him he said, "Shh! Sounds like her pistons--or maybe
it's her vacuum. Anyway, as soon as there's a good stopping
place, we'll. . . ."