"Of course you didn't, Buddy," was the smiling response of the young man, who was wont to call his younger brother by this affectionate war-mate term.  "The fact is, as I was just telling mother, two days ago I didn't know myself that I would be anywhere at this hour except speeding through the air between New York and Washington on my usual mail run in my trusty old Martin-bird.  As it is, Buddy, it looks now as if neither you nor I would ever handle her controls again."  There was a note of sadness in John's voice as he said this.