“I think that it’s his mother’s fault,” said Mrs. Martin. “She’s pampered him and spoiled him until he can’t do a thing or think for himself. She just didn’t know that the best way to rear a boy is to give him plenty to eat and a place to sleep and let him take care of himself.” “That’s why I turned out so well, isn’t it, Mother?” said Bob. His mother laughed. “Oh, I don’t know about you. You must be the exception that proves the rule.” Bill spoke suddenly. “There ought to be something done about Hal,” he said. “I like that boy. He’s got the stuff there, but he needs something to bring it out. How about it, Bob?” “I think so, Bill,” said Bob, pleased that Captain Bill had seen so much in his friend. “I’ve been trying to help Hal, and I think that he’s getting much better than he was, don’t you, Mother?” “I have noticed an improvement,” said Mrs. Martin. “There’ll be more before I go home,” said Captain Bill. “Don’t hog the cookies,” said Pat, making his first, but most important contribution to the conversation. But Pat, though he had said nothing, had thought a lot. CHAPTER VII—A Close Shave The next two weeks were hectic ones for Pat, the Captain and their two friends, with Pat teaching the boys to fly, the boys learning to fly, the Captain generally directing all activities, and three of them planning and preparing for their flight to the Adirondacks. Hal couldn’t go. It was with real sorrow that he told them that his mother would not permit him to go with them. Hal was beginning to enjoy better his flights into the air, and his companionship with his new friends. Pat did not frighten him at all now, and his happiest hours were those that he spent with him, Bob and Captain Bill. He knew that he would be very lonesome if they went off without him, but no amount of persuasion on his part would move his mother in her determination that he should not go. She had so many arguments on her side that Hal was completely floored when he tried to point out to her the reasons why it would be perfectly safe for him to go with his friends.