A great wave of gratitude surged within Tommy. It gave him mastery of the machine. He drove on carefully and easily until he reached a good stretch of road near the city limits. He let her out. He did not remember when he had felt such perfect control. He slowed down when they came to a crossroad. “Going to Columbus?” asked Mr. Thompson. “If you wish,” replied Tommy, nonchalantly. “Not to-day. Let me off at the trolley line.” “I'll take you back,” said Tommy. “Does it interfere with your plans?” Interfere with his plans? This man who was paying him wages asked that question! Did a finer man live anywhere? “Not a bit. I was only trying out--” Tommy stopped short. He had been taking liberties with the carburetor by advice and with the consent of Bill. And it was Thompson's car! “What?” asked Thompson. Tommy told him. “Lots of room for improvement in the Tecumseh, eh?” Mr. Thompson's voice was neither sarcastic nor admiring. Tommy answered, “We think so.” “Who is we?” “Me and Bill Byrnes,” smiled Tommy. “Lots of suggestions?” “Some.” “Decreasing as you learn?” “Yes, sir.” “Been in the testing-shop?” “Yes, sir.” “Tell 'em?” “Yes, sir.” “All the suggestions?” “No, sir.” “Only at first?” “Right!” “Why did you stop?” “Well, we found out that some of the things we thought might be improved couldn't be, by reason of expense or weight or something else. So we decided to try to make sure our improvements would improve or could be carried out before we spoke.” “Want to go into the shop?” “Not as a steady job. I'll never make a mechanic.” “Bill want to experiment in our testing department?” “I don't think so.” “Why not?” “He says it annoys him to have people round him when he wants to be alone.” “Must be an inventor.” “Well,” apologized Tommy, “his father was.” Thompson laughed. “The wisest things we say, my boy, are the things we say not knowing how wise they are. And so La Grange and the others laughed when you casually asked about the one thing you and Bill are so interested in?” Tommy almost lost his grip on the wheel. He slowed down so that they barely crawled, and asked, “Please, Mr. Thompson, did La Grange tell you?” “No; he's never spoken to me about you.” “Then how do you know?” Tommy looked into Mr. Thompson's face intently. Thompson answered very quietly: “Didn't you?” “Yes, sir.” “And didn't they?” “Yes, sir.” “Well, that's how I know.” Tommy could grasp only that it was obvious to Mr. Thompson. He gave up trying to understand how such a mind worked, and began: “You see, Mr. Thompson, it's this way. We think--” “Don't tell me, Tommy,” interrupted Mr. Thompson, quickly. His face was serious. He continued, “You and Bill work at it at home?” “Yes, sir. That is, he works and I look on.” “Quite right!” And Thompson relapsed into silence.