"No, thank you," said Dick. "Thank you just the same." He had a vivid idea of what it might mean to work for his Uncle Ezra. Besides, Dick's fortune was such that he did not have to work. But he fully intended to, and he was getting a training that would enable him to work to the best advantage. Just because he was a millionaire he did not despise work. In fact he liked it, and he had made up his mind that he would not be an idler. Just now aviation attracted him, and he put in as many hours working over his airship--hard work, too,--as many a mechanic might have done. "Well, I'll say good-bye, Nephew Richard," spoke Uncle Ezra, after walking about the big airship, and looking at it more closely than would seem natural, after he had characterized it as a "foolish piece of business." "I'm sorry you won't stay until my father gets back," spoke Dick. "I expect him tomorrow, or next day." "Well, if I stayed I know my hired man would waste a lot of feed on the horses," said Uncle Ezra. "And every time I go away he sits up and burns his kerosene lamp until almost ten o'clock at night. And oil has gone up something terrible of late." "Well, I hope you'll come and see us again," invited Dick, as his uncle started to go. "But won't you let me send you to the station in the auto? It isn't being used." "No, Nephew Richard. Not for me!" exclaimed Uncle Ezra. "You might bust a tire, and then you'd expect me to pay for it." "Oh, no, I wouldn't!" "Well, then, there might be some accident, and I might get my clothes torn. That would mean I'd have to have a new suit. I've worn this one five years, and it's good for three more, if I'm careful of it!" he boasted, as he looked down at his shiny, black garments. "Then you're going to walk?" asked Dick. "Yes, Nephew Richard. There's grass almost all the way to the station, and I can keep on that. It will save my shoes." "But people don't like you to walk on their grass," objected Dick. "Huh! Think I'm going to tramp on the hard sidewalks and wear out my shoe leather?" cried Uncle Ezra. "I guess not!" He started off, trudging along with his cane, but paused long enough to call back: "Oh, Nephew Richard, I got the cook to put me up some sandwiches. I can eat them on the train, and save buying. The idea of charging ten cents in the railroad restaurant! It's robbery! I had her use stale bread, so that won't be wasted." Dick hopelessly shook his head. He really could say nothing. His chums knew Uncle Ezra's character, and sympathized with their friend.