"But what are the flags for?" asked Billy, "and why do they put letters beside of them on the chart?"
"It tells all about the signal-flags in papa's marine directory, and I'm going after it," announced Betty.
"She can tell you about the signals, Billy," said Aunt Florence, "and let's see who can make the most perfect little flags. Gerald will help you, Billy, won't you, Gerald?"
"Don't need any help," Billy hastened to say, "'less he wants to whittle out flag-sticks."
"That's so, auntie," agreed Gerald. "I'll go after something to use for flagstaffs."
"And I'm going after some shears and things, and then," said Billy, "I'm going to cut out the 'B' flag. It's all red, auntie, and cut the way Betty's hair-ribbons are on the ends. I guess I will make the 'Q' flag, 'cause it's just a square made out of yellow; and the 'S' is easy, too, just white with a blue square in the centre. Oh, auntie's gone. Don't you feel queer, Hero, when you talk to somebody that isn't there?"
Gerald and Betty returned quickly with coloured paper and a book.
"Now, Billy," remarked the little girl, in her most severe tone, "put down the shears and listen a minute. I'm going to read out of the Marine Directory."
"Don't read it; tell it," besought Billy.