The major, it is true, added but little detail of Will’s doings, except to tell them that he was a full-fledged flying man and was doing his air work steadily and most satisfactorily.  His quiet praise of Will brought a flush of pride to Grace’s cheek, and the major wished he knew of more to tell her about her brother, as it was a pleasure to talk to so charming and attentive a listener.

At last he rose to take his departure, and the Corwins were loud in their demands that he should come and see them often.  As the major stepped down from the piazza Harry grasped his courage in both hands and said: 

“Major Phelps, may I ask you a question?”

“Certainly,” said the major genially.  “What is it?”

“Well, sir,” began Harry, “we Brighton boys have been wondering how we can get inside the new airdrome.  Summer vacation is coming, and we could all—–­the eight of us, in our crowd—–­arrange to stay here after the term closes.  We want to be allowed inside the grounds, and to have a chance to learn something practical.  We would do anything and everything we were told to do, sir.”

“Hum,” said the major.  “Let me think.  You boys can be mighty useful in lots of ways.  I’ll tell you what I will do.  Find out whether or not your friends would care to get some sort of regular uniform and take on regular work and I will speak to the colonel about it when he comes.  I think he will be here to-morrow or next day.  Things are getting in shape, and we will be at work in earnest soon.  The colonel is a very nice man, and when he hears that you boys are so eager to get into the game maybe he will not object to your being attached regularly to the airdrome for a while.  You might find that the work was no more exciting than running errands or something like that.  Are you all of pretty good size?  There might be some useful things to do now and again that would take muscle.”

“I am about the same size as most of the rest,” replied Harry.

“You look as if you could do quite a lot,” laughed the major, as he walked down the path, leaving behind him a boy who was nearer the seventh heaven of delight than he had ever been before.

Before the end of the week the colonel came.  The boys had their plans cut and dried.  Harry’s sister Grace had taken an unusual interest in them, and had advised them wisely as to uniforms.  Major Phelps seemed interested in them, too, in a way.  At least, he called at the Corwin home more than once and talked to Grace about that and other things.

Colonel Marker was rather grizzled and of an almost forbidding appearance to the boys.  They feared him whole-heartedly the moment they laid eyes on him.  His voice was gruff and he had a habit of wrinkling his brows that had at times struck terror into older hearts than those of the Brighton boys.  But he was a very kindly man, nevertheless, in spite of his bluff exterior.