“Unless you can wave a magic wand and make the pistons come running,” said Jack.
“I’m going to rummage through these lockers,” declared Cora, jumping up and going into the little cabin. “Perhaps there are some spare parts on hand.”
A moment later she gave an exclamation of triumph.
“Here they are!” she cried, holding up a pair of the much desired rings.
“Takes a woman to do things,” said Belle in a superior way.
The boys looked a little sheepish, but at the same time delighted.
“She’s a fairy all right,” conceded Walter.
“You’re the real thing, sis,” beamed Jack, as he held out his hand for the rings. “And now for the dirty work.”
They adjusted the rings and overhauled the rest of the engine, which proved to be in fairly good condition. There were no radical defects, and by dint of hard work they soon had the entire machinery in what seemed to be good working order.
“There,” panted Jack, as he straightened up, “I guess we’re some little machinists, all right.”
“We ought to be able to get a union card,” said Walter.
“Toil has no terror for us!” declared Paul, striking an attitude.
“Those boys just hate themselves, don’t they?” laughed Bess.
“They’ve worked pretty hard—for them,” admitted Cora. “And as a special reward, boys,” she added generously, “we’ll let you take us for our first ride in the _Water Sprite_ this afternoon.”
“You do us too much honor,” said Paul, making a low bow in his best Chesterfieldian manner.
“I know that perfectly well,” replied Cora; “but I happen to feel in a condescending mood.”
“Good gracious, girls!” exclaimed Belle, consulting her watch, “do you know that it’s nearly twelve o’clock? We’ve been working here all the morning.”
“_We’ve_ been working!” repeated Jack with marked emphasis. “I can see that you’re all out of breath.”
“‘Those also serve who only stand and wait.’”
“That’s the kind of job I’d like,” said Walter, wiping the perspiration from his face.
“No chance,” opined Paul. “The girls have got in ahead of us.”
“Well, I notice you wouldn’t have been very far ahead if Cora hadn’t found those rings,” retorted Bess.
“You boys are well enough where only muscle is concerned,” said Belle patronizingly, “but when it comes to a matter of brains you’re not in the same class with us.”