“And Ike shrieking, ‘Orange Marmalade.’
“They fought for hours and hours. That is, all but the salesman. As soon as the General cut his ropes, he grabbed his samples and ran like the wind.
“The others fought on, and the first thing you knew, every last pirate was stretched cold and dead on the hard, hard ground. And then the soldier held out his arms and the golden-haired girl came into them and the cavalry all cheered and the General blessed them (I mean the girl and her soldier) and—they, no doubt, lived happily ever after.”
“Phew!” said Edward Lee.
“Phew!” said Walter.
“Orange Marmalade,” shouted Edward Lee. “Here come the pirates.” Down the road he charged straight into the arms of Mother Dear, almost knocking her over.
All afternoon Edward Lee and Walter were soldiers and pirates and they attacked everybody on the place before dinner. Even then they did not want to go in, but Father insisted.
“And by the way,” said Father. “Where are Martha Mary and John?”
Edward Lee looked at Walter and Walter looked at Edward Lee and then they remembered. Down to the power-house they rushed and there were the prisoners, all pale and tired and wobbly in the legs. Edward Lee really felt badly. He kissed Martha Mary and begged her not to care. He offered to shake hands with John, but John wouldn’t shake. As for Walter, he got a laughing fit and wouldn’t stop until Father ordered him off to bed without any dinner. Later Martha Mary sneaked up the back stairs with a tray for him and no one knew it. Then Mother Dear felt worried and said it wasn’t wise to let him go to sleep without eating, so she took him another tray and found Martha Mary’s. And still later, when he thought no one would notice, Father tiptoed up the back stairs with still more, and Walter had a gorgeous time. And Father laughed and spanked him and then hugged him.