"Well, we Americans never do anything by halves, you know. When we go in we go in all over," laughed his father. "That is what we did with our clipper ships. We were so pleased with them that we built more and more, sending them everywhere we could think of. Many went around to California to carry merchandise to the gold searchers. At last there were so many of these swift vessels that they cut into one another and freight rates dropped. Besides, steamboats were coming into general use and were now running on all the more important ocean routes. The day of the sailing ship was over and the marvelous vessels were compelled to yield their place to the heralds of progress and become things of the past. Nevertheless, their part in our American commerce will never be forgotten and we have them to thank not only for the fame they brought our country but also for much of its wealth." With a quick gesture of surprise he rose hurriedly. "See!" he exclaimed. "We are almost home. We have talked 'ships and sealing-wax' for hours." "It hasn't seemed for hours," retorted Stephen, springing to collect his luggage. "Nor to me, either." "Some time I'd like to hear about the ocean liners," ventured the boy. "You must get Mr. Ackerman to tell you that story when he comes to visit us Thanksgiving," was the reply, "if he _does_ come. That part of it seems to be up to you and Dick." "I mean to do my part to get him here," Steve announced. "I hope Dick will plug, too." "I rather think you can trust him for that," was the quiet answer. CHAPTER XVI AGAIN THE MAGIC DOOR OPENS A change of trains and a brief hour's journey brought the travelers safely to Coventry where Havens met them with the automobile. "This will be our last ride this fall," observed Mr. Tolman, as he loitered on the platform while the luggage was being lifted into the car. "We shall have to put the motor up in a day or two. It will not need much of an overhauling in the way of repairs this season, I guess, for it is comparatively new and should be in pretty good condition. There may be a few slight things necessary but nothing much. Isn't that so, Havens?" "It is badly scratched, sir." "Scratched!" "Yes, sir--both inside and out. I wonder you haven't noticed it. Still you wouldn't unless you got it in just the right light. I did not myself at first. There are terrible scratches everywhere. You would think ten men had climbed all over it. Look!" "Oh, it can't be so bad as all that," laughed Mr. Tolman good-humoredly, evidently not taking the chauffeur's comment seriously. "The car was new in the spring and we have not given it very hard wear. What little luggage we have carried has been carefully put in; I have seen to that myself. Only a short time ago I thought how splendidly fresh the varnish looked. In fact, I examined it just before you were ill. It can't have become very much defaced since then for we have not had the car out of the garage except for one short excursion."