"You will not sleep at all if I tell you a story," objected Mrs. Goddard.
"Mr. Juxon tells me such nice stories," said Nellie, reproachfully.
"What are they about, dear?"
"Oh, his stories are beautiful. They are always about ships and the blue sea and wonderful desert islands where he has been. What a wonderful man he is, mamma, is not he?"
"Yes, dear, he talks very interestingly." Mrs. Goddard stroked Nellie's brown curls and looked into the fire.
"He told me that once, ever so many years ago—he must be very old, mamma—" Nellie paused and looked up inquiringly.
"Well, darling—not so very, very old. I think he is over forty."
"Over forty—four times eleven—he is not four times as old as I am. Almost, though. All his stories are ever so many years ago. He said he was sailing away ever so far, in a perfectly new ship, and the name of the ship was—let me see, what was the name? I think it was—"
Mrs. Goddard started suddenly and laid her hand on the child's shoulder.
"Did you hear anything, Nellie?" she asked quickly. Nellie looked up in some surprise.