Joe had a good bump, too, but was none the
worse for it physically. He stepped out of his seat before the
boys could run to the wrecked biplane. They were all sympathy and
eagerness to see if Joe was hurt. He had not dropped far, but had
come down with such a thud that even Parks was anxious. Bob Haines
was the first of the Brighton boys to reach the machine. "Are you
all right, Joe?" he called out as he came up.

"Guess so," was the reply. "I feel jarred---but look at the poor old
bus! How did I do it? After all our hard work, she is completely
wrecked again, and I did it." Joe felt that it would be a relief to
get away from the scene of the smash, and had to down a temptation to
walk off by himself. He was almost heartbroken when he thought of all
the work that his mistake had undone.

"Never mind," said Parks. "Everyone has to learn. I will bet that
you don't pull up short when landing another time."

Joe was not to be thus easily comforted. Sensitive to a degree, his
heart entirely in his work, he was utterly disgusted with himself
for having had the temerity to try the flight. What hurt most was
the knowledge that the plane the Brighton boys had so looked forward
to having for practice flying they could hardly hope to get otherwise
for a long time to come, was _hors de combat_, and possibly beyond
another repair.

Recognizing Joe's frame of mind, the boys grouped round the broken
biplane in silence, searching their minds for a word that would give
a crumb of comfort to their comrade. The more they looked over the
wreck, the less they knew what to say.

As they stood there, watching Parks poking round the smashed machine,
Colonel Marker came up with Major Phelps. They had not been far away
when Joe had started on his experimental round of the airdrome, and
had witnessed the whole episode.

"You did not do so badly until you landed," said the colonel pleasantly.
"You should have stayed up."

The boys had never before heard the colonel essay a joke, and were
by no means sure that his first remark was not the preface to serious
condemnation of Joe. Colonel Marker had often been heard to treat
the subject of smashed machines in a manner decidedly uncomplimentary
to the luckless aviator who was responsible.

Poor Joe felt his heart in his throat. A very deep feeling of shame
came over him and his eyes filled with tears. His face showed real
distress.

The colonel turned to Joe from an inspe