“I’m coming right in-doors now, Aunty.”
“Well, I should say you was. Dis window sill’s jest a-soppin’ wet now. Admiral, you ain’t got any more common sense about dat chile’s welfare dan if you was a stotin’ bottle.”
The Admiral rose from the stone seat and tried to argue the point, while Polly’s dimples danced mischievously at the quick fire between the two. Dearly did she love a bout between them.
“Aunty Welcome, I really must insist, I really must, on your treating me with a little more respect.” It was comical to listen to the Admiral’s appealing tones. “I cannot stand such talk forever. Even a worm will turn, Welcome, you know, even a worm.”
“Pouf,” came from old Aunty’s indignant lips. “Whoever heard of a worm’s a-doing anything when it did turn? You come along in out of dat night air, sah, or you’ll get de collywobbles you’-sef. Come along, now.”
The window closed emphatically, and Polly meekly slipped her arm around the Admiral’s elbow, and they went up to the house together.
CHAPTER III
POLLY SHIPS HER CREW
The following day Polly was very busy, mysteriously busy, but not one word did she speak to anyone of the household, regarding her purpose. She pored over books in the library, and wrote items down for future reference. But the Admiral was able to guess her intentions, for every once in a while, she would hail him with various queries.
“Grandfather, dear, what’s a cuddy?”