A FAMOUS LITTLE LADY HAS A RIDE WITH US - AND LIKES IT !

A FAMOUS LITTLE LADI HAS A RIDE WITH L’SAND LIKES IT ! WE INTRODUCE MISS NINA McKINNEY TO THE SPEED DINGHY

M ” Y boy” boomed the editor, “I want you to take this

lady with you when you test the ‘Vanadium 32.’ ” At first, judging from his serious mien, I thought that he had chosen Greta Garbo, over whom he is a little unbalanced, and who, of course, is far, far away. But his gravity, indicative of the greatresponsibility with which he was entrusting to me, referred instead to a different, albeit very charming lady, and he silently handed me a small newspaper photograph with the caption “Nina Mae McKinney.” You cannot, of course, just MAKE people go for rides in motor boats, so I asked the manager of the Leicester Square Theatre if he thought Miss McKinney would go. “Oh yes,” he said, “she’s

a good sport.” And so she was.

Slowly we walked, down the slope on to Westminster pier and it occurred to me that some sort of conversation would not be out of place, so I asked her what she thought of London policemen. She thinks they’re elegant.

The size of the craft, however, seemed to come as a shock to her. She evidently expected it to be much larger, and it was only after some manoeuvring that we were able to lift her down to the boat at all. I told her that there was no need to ride in the thing if she didn’t feel like it ; but, no, she wanted a ride. So the electric starter was switched on and the boat drew away from the pier. Once out in the river the release charger was moved over

and the boat leapt straight’ onto the plane” and shot under Westminster Bridge.

It was a thousand pities that time would not permit of a longer run, for our friend was a perfect passenger. She is interested in the buildings of London, she understands that the boat must swerve occasionally to avoid driftwood, and she does not mind speed. Eventually, however, we motored slowly back to the pier and hoisted our guest aloft.

She seemed very impressed with the performance of the boat and enjoyed her ride immensely. Could she, she wondered, make a rim down to the docks and back one Sunday ?

Could she ? Well ; we are not making any engagements for Sundays until further notice.