the opportunity to reach a great audience with my favorite subject. And in deciding to accept Mr. Long’s offer, I knew that I was casting my lot permanently with aviation.
In addition to writing a series of articles, part of my time was spent answering the many letters which came, seeking information about various phases of flying. Just then, it seemed as if almost everyone wished to learn to fly. Certainly there was an enormous number of prospects. While I heard from many girls, just as many inquiries were made by boys, and men and women.
There were serious questions and foolish ones and those which told stories of poverty, ambition and dreams. An inventor had discovered a device which added thirty per cent to the efficiency of any plane. A real estate man wished to enter aviation because it provided a “future.” A young chap wrote, “Give me the name of a school of aviation. I’m only an office boy, but I’m a darn good one.” Teachers, mechanics, laborers,—an endless throng seemed to pass my desk.
Scrawled on yellow paper in pencil, a youngster asked, “Why is the monoplane more faster than the biplane?” And that was hard to answer in a few words for a child.
“Dear Miss Earhart,” ran one letter, “I have quarreled with my boy friend and have decided to take up aviation. Please tell me how.”
I confess I was puzzled with the sequence of events. Had the writer cheerfully thrown over her
