Sonnie-Boy's People

Look here, Sonnie-Boy. Here's a man says your papa is the greatest man ever was in his line.
The man with the gold-headed cane had been headed for the cottage, but espying the boy at the water's edge, he changed his course. He crept to within a few paces of the lad before he hailed: Halloo, little boy! I'll bet I know who your papa is.
The boy looked casually around. Seeing that it was a stranger, he faced about and stood respectfully erect.
Mr. Welkie's little boy, aren't you?
Yes, sir. But I'm 'most six.
Oh-h, I see—a big boy now. But what have you got there?
The boy held up the toy steamer with which he had been playing.
Oh-h, I see now. What are you going to do with it?
The boy looked sidewise out to where in the bay a fleet of battle-ships were lying to anchor.
Load it with sugar and pineapples, and ship 'em to the States, are you?
But it's a gun-ship. See—where the turrets 'n' the fighting-tops will be when papa makes them.