re set ahead of the wing and the wheels folded into the
body when it was in flight. The fuselage with the pilots' cockpit and
cabin for the passengers was like the body of a wasp, long and
gracefully stream-lined to reduce wind resistance.

Jane and Sue accompanied Grace to the plane, anxious to see what the
interior was like. It was not as roomy as the hulking tri-motors, but
the seats were more comfortable and the pantry which the stewardess
used was complete to the latest detail. The lights were soft and easily
adjustable. Each passenger could control the ventilation of the
individual windows. The interior was in black and brown, pleasingly
harmonious.

There was a full passenger list, and Grace was busy checking over the
list and making sure the necessary supplies were aboard. Then the sleek
craft was away, Jane and Sue waving, as the monoplane rolled out of the
hangar. Grace waved back as the night swallowed the plane.

For two hours Jane and Sue remained at the field, listening to reports
of the speeding ship, which was setting a new record for air passenger
travel in the United States.

"What fun it would be aloft tonight," said Sue a bit sadly, "and to
know that you were setting a new speed record."

"We shouldn't begrudge Grace that trip," Jane replied. "We've had
plenty of good things since we joined the service."

Before winter set in, the entire fleet of new planes was operating on
the transcontinental line and the sturdy old tri-motors were wheeled
into the hangars where dust soon stood thick on the valiant wings.

Winter flying was to be a new experience for the girls, and they were
issued trimly tailored coats, heavily lined. Fortunately the new planes
were well insulated and there was a splendid electric heating system.

Extreme cold failed to slow up the schedules, the planes stopping only
for snow, which swirled down from the peaks of the Rockies. Christmas
eve found Jane roaring toward Chicago on the _Coast to Coast_, but she
had planned for it and brought a tiny Christmas tree aboard at
Cheyenne. There were only eight passengers aboard and she had shopped
in the dime store for small gifts which would be appropriate for almost
any group. She copied the names from the passenger list on gift tags
and then carried the tree and her armful of presents to the front of
the cabin, placing them in the two forward chairs.

The passengers were delighted, for Christmas eve away from home, even
at 5,000