"I'd like a play about soldiers and pirates," went on Bert.
"I know something about pirates," cried Tommy Todd. "My father used to tell me about them."
"Say, you'd do fine for a pirate!" cried Bert "You know a lot about ships and things; don't you?"
"Well, a little," said Tommy. "I remember some of the things my father told me when he was with us. And my grandmother knows a lot. Her husband was a sailor and she has sailed on a ship."
"Then we'll ask her how to be pirates when we get ready for our play," Bert decided.
"How is your grandma?" Nan inquired.
"Well, she's a little better," said Tommy, "but not very well. She has to work too hard, I guess. I wish I were bigger so I wouldn't have to go to school. Then I could work."
"Do you still run errands for Mr. Fitch?" asked Bert.
"I do when he has any. And I did some for your father. He says I have earned the quarter he gave me, and I'm glad, for I don't want to owe any money. I'm hoping your father will have more errands for me to do after school. I'm going to stop in and ask him on Saturday. I like Saturdays for then I can work all day."
"Don't you like to play?" asked Nan.