Peggy glowed and Jerome and Mammy beamed, while the little darkies beat a grinning retreat to confide excitedly to Aunt Cynthia:
"Dem gemmens an' ladies yonder in de grove was so mighty pleased dat dey jist nachally bleiged fer ter holler and laugh."
Far from proving drawbacks to the feast the captain and the doctor entered heart and soul into the frolic, the doctor as host, slyly nodding to the ever alert Jerome or Mammy to replenish plates, the captain waxing reminiscent and telling many an amusing tale, and Mrs. Harold beaming happily upon all, while to and from Cynthia's realm ran the little darkies full of enthusiasm for "dem midshipmen mens who suah could eat fried chicken, corn fritters, glazed sweet 'taters, and waffles nuff fer ter bust most mens."
Certainly, Aunt Cynthia knew her business and if ever a picnic feast was appreciated, that one was.
But the climax came with the dessert.
CHAPTER VIII
A SHOCKING DEMONSTRATION OF INTEMPERANCE
The merrymaking was at its height. The festive board had been cleared for dessert.
"Cleared for action," Captain Pennell said.
"Not heavy fire I hope," sighed Shortie. "Peggy, will you excuse me, but
I have surely got to let out a reef if anything more is coming," and
Shortie let out a hole or two in the leather belt which encircled the
region into which innumerable waffles had disappeared.