"Lu! Lu! get up! Time for breakfast!" screamed Polly again.
"I suppose it is morning, or she wouldn't be making such a fuss," said
Lulu.
"Yes," said Eva, "I see a little light coming in at the window."
"I'll light the gas in the sitting-room, and give her a cracker to stop her screaming," said Lulu, getting out of bed and feeling about for her warm slippers and dressing gown. "Then I'll run and catch papa and Gracie."
"Lulu," said the captain's voice from Gracie's room.
"I'm here, papa. Oh a happy New Year to you!"
"Thank you, dear child. I wish you the same; but I want you to give Polly a cracker as quickly as you can to stop her screaming; for I fear she will wake both guests and babies."
"Yes, sir; I will. I was just going to," replied the little girl. "Then shall I stay up?"
"I think you may as well go back to bed and try to take another nap," he answered. "It is very early yet."
Lulu hurried into the sitting-room where Polly's cage was hanging, and struck a light.