To where the grown-up river slips
Into the sea among the ships.'"
The doctor stood still, making a trumpet of his hands. "Ship ahoy!" he called.
The next instant seven girls came wriggling and scrambling down from the various branches. "Oh! Daddy," Patricia cried joyously, "we're having the jolliest time—we're pirates! I'm captain—
"'My name is Captain Kidd,
And most wickedly I did,
As I sailed, as I sailed!'"
"And, according to report, before you sailed, young lady. Suppose you make explanation regarding certain late extremely piratical proceedings."
"You mean about the supper, Daddy? You see, we didn't feel very partified—at least, we thought we didn't look exactly—"
As she hesitated, the doctor, glancing from one to another of the seven, nodded comprehendingly. "I quite agree with you, Pat; you do not look very—partified."