You two were in a cave together?’ said Miss Simpkins in horror.‘Yes,’ said Kate, ‘and it was very, very dark.

Let me get you all some punch,” I said.“You're leaving us?” said Isabel, sounding panicky.“I'll be right back,” I promised. “If anyone comes near you, just scream and run.

You flatter me shamelessly. I like it. Good.

I prefer the word aviatrix. It has more zing to it.""It's very zingy," I agreed.

You've no fear of heights," puffed the girl."None," I said."I've heard that about you.

I raised my hands, trying to shush her."Don't shush me," she said, eyes blazing. "I hate being shushed.

Everyone watched, wondering if this could be the same lunatic who'd nearly berthed his ornithopter in the restaurant. I swallowed, for it seemed he was headed straight for my table. He pulled off his helmet and a mass of dark auburn hair spilled out. Off came the goggles, and I was looking at the beaming face of Kate de Vries.

This way," she said, veering toward the roof's edge. "Can you jump?""Oh, I can jump!""Then jump!

I had no idea there'd be so many Sherpas aboard!" exclaimed Miss Simpkins."I'm not a Sherpa," Nadira said. "I'm a gypsy.""Oh, my goodness!" said the chaperone.