Dick and Tom had been asked to play but both had declined, for they wished to pay attention to their studies, and the biplane took up all their spare time.

Sam played a little on the scrub, but soon gave it up.
During those days Dick was more serious than usual, and neither Tom nor Sam bothered their elder brother.

They knew he was thinking of his engagement to Dora, and also worrying over the business affairs of their father and their Uncle Randolph.
One day Tom and Sam took a short trip in the biplane and persuaded Stanley to go with them, and the next day they took out Spud.

But nobody else of their chums cared to go.
"A new arrival to-morrow!" cried Sam, one evening.

"Just from a trip to Paris, too." "Is it William Philander Tubbs ?" queried Tom, looking up from the theme he was writing.
"You've struck it, Tom.