"Ah, I hope papa will not be killed," cried little Alexander.
"How silly you are!" responded the older Jane. "Why should he be killed?"
"Because Napoleon is such a monster. If he should suddenly take out his sword—"
"Yes, or open his mouth and swallow papa, how terrible it would be!" added Betsy mockingly.
"Of course Bonaparte is a monster, but he would never dare hurt any one on this island, especially an Englishman. Don't worry. Papa will come home safely enough, but I wish he would hurry, so we could hear all about the wretch."
Later in the day the children gathered eagerly around their father, who had returned from his visit to the ships.
"Oh, papa, what was he like?" asked each in turn.
"Who, Napoleon?"
"Of course. We wish to hear about him. Didn't you see him? Didn't you see anybody there?"
"I could hardly visit a fleet without seeing some one."