It was some considerable time before Antony got up to obeying all orders, or even understanding them: 'Ease sheet!' 'Down helm!' 'Luff a little!' &c. And indeed it is not certain that Lotty, mischievous little mouse, didn't sometimes invent an order for the sake of confusing her charge somewhat.
'What is it? How is it?' he would cry. 'Tell me in plain English, Lotty. What am I to do with this bit of stick?' The bit of stick was the tiller.
Sometimes she would laugh right out at the serious aspect of his face; but she would praise him when he did well.
That was an unfortunate forenoon for Antony, when, confident in his own seamanship, he made
up his mind to venture to sea alone in the Jenny Wren.
Lotty was at a rehearsal of some kind, else I'm sure she would not have permitted him.
There was a slight but delightful breeze that day, and he did not mean to go far. The wind seemed very steady too, so he gained heart as he went out. 'It is so easy,' he said to himself, 'and so jolly, that'—well, yes—he would smoke.
Then he made the all but fatal mistake of fastening the sheet until he should light up.