The motor's hum increased to the steady roar which Johnny's ear recognized as the sound Bland got from it when he started.

And with an erratic wabbling the plane moved forward jerkily, steadied a bit as Johnny set his teeth and all his stubbornness to the work, and gradually--very gradually--lifted and went whirring away through the sunlight.
They say that Providence protects children and fools.

Johnny Jewel, I think, could justly claim protection on both grounds.

He was certainly attempting a foolhardy feat, and he was doing it with a childlike confidence in himself.

As for Mary V--oh, well, Mary V was very young and a woman, and therefore not to be held accountable for her rash faith that the man would take care of her.