I
looked from the picture to him, and I realized that, compared to
his former pictures, his expression had now indeed acquired
something terrible. But just then he laughed, and the laughter
conjured away all phantasies.
V. THE MAGIC MACHINE
As a tiny boy who had invented an enchanted bed for his sisters' dolls,
as a boy who, at College Stanislas, had rigged up a telephone to send
messages to the last forms in the schoolroom, or manufactured miniature
airplanes, as a recruit who, at Pau, had gladly accepted the work of
cleaning, burnishing, and overhauling engines, Guynemer had always shown
a passion for mechanics. Becoming a pilot, and later on a chaser, he
exhibited in the study and perfecting of his airplanes the same
enthusiasm and perseverance as in his flights. He was everlastingly
calling for swifter or more powerful machines, and not only strove to
communicate his own fervor to technicians, but went into minute details,
suggested improvements, and whenever he had a chance visited the
workshops and assisted at trials. Such trials are sometimes dangerous.
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