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CHAPTER 3 'L' Is For Lessons

I quickly discovered that an unwilling baptism in Keuka Lake doesn't magically make one a full-fledged aviator.  It's effects were largely beneficial.  I learned the taste of humble pie and I took a load of good natured ribbing.  The exclusive 'in' thing at Curtiss field with the flyers was the "The Stone Fence and Lake Club".  Membership qualification was one crackup on the stone fence demarking the land end of the field and a dump into the lake at the other end.  After my splash I was immediately dubbed 'half [[strikethrough]] member [[/strikethrough]] member in the most exclusive club in the United States."  I responded with high good nature to the ribs and secretly was both warmed and pleased since the very nature of the kidding equated me with the other flyers.

With these thoughts stabilizing me I followed Glenn Curtiss' orders and practiced and practiced.  I flew in circles around and around the field.  This was fine but I really wanted was a change of scenery and an opportunity to do something ... ANYTHING.  My excitement boiled right over when Mr. Curtiss very casually said one day, "Pack up, Blanche, we're going to Cleveland."

"You mean me?  I"m actually going?  I'm gonna fly."

Mrs. Curtiss inserted herself into the conversation with, "Heaven's above no emphatically no."  My hopes dropped like a broken elevator.  I tried a quick kcover with a touch of flippancy, 
"If I'm not going to fly, why in the world do you want me to make the trip.  Why should I go?"

"Well, Blanche, you don't suppose for one moment we're going to leave you here to do as you please, do you?," Asked Mr. Curtiss.  He might have been smiling but behind that smile was a whim of iron, I knew he meant every word.  He continued, "When I'm away from that field you manage to get everyone from mechanics to chief pilot to