Faith echoed her words, but Charity demurred.
"Look here," she said; "I always like fair play. One man doesn't want three servants."
"Crew," said Charlie; "you'll be the crew."
"Yes, I know," said Charity, her nose rather high in the air, "and if the Captain chooses, he can flog his crew and put them in irons. I've read all about it, and if they mutiny, what then?"
"They'll have to walk the plank," said Charlie, loftily.
"Oh, what fun!" exclaimed Hope.
"Well, you can do it," said Charity, "but I'm not going to do it; so I shall just be the Captain's wife."
Her audacity struck the three other children dumb.
"Then the wife stops at home," said Charlie, when he had recovered himself.
He had a weak body but a strong spirit.