"Precisely," said Lord William, "and, of course, you must be there to meet them!"
"Gurrls, I'll chaperone ye! Now, get back to bed, and sleep—if ye can. Shure, and I'm ashamed of ye appearin' in such dishybayle!" concluded the merry old lady, with a wink.
She stood at the foot of the stairs and hooshed her young charges away.
Then she turned to her guest.
"Ye'll forgive an old woman appearin' like this," she said simply. "Pathrick, take Lord William into the dining-room, and we'll make him some supper in a moment. We're all friends in the Navy."
Her voice changed and became very grave.
"Blessings on you," she said, "that have brought the good news to this house and to those dear gurrls this night!"
Part II.—Return of the Seven Heroes
It was a tall man with black hair, dark eyes and a pinched face. His black, clerical clothes were rather rusty in the bright morning sunlight, though they were his best.
"The young beggars!" he said, "the young beggars!" and there was a catch in his voice. "A commission for both of them and a special allowance, did you say, Lord William?"