"If these condummit ructions are over," said our general—for the wind was blowing cold—"forwards ag'in, by clam!" and we marched upon the schoolhouse; but we encountered so many difficulties, of wayward ropes, in hoisting our ensign, that Captain Pharo declared, rubbing his chilled hands:
"'T we'd omit the usual cheerin' 'tell we'd been in and thawed out—ef they was any thaw to us—leastways baited."
Vesty was there with the rest, munching a slice of angel-cake—fit food for her! I smiled kindly upon her, but did not forget that I was an indifferent bean-pole.
"Major!" cried the Basin, toward the close of the repast, with its mouth sweet and full—"Major, a speech! a speech!"
Now I had a heart given to the Basin, with a simple thought or two, and I requisitioned the best of my forces for the "Occasion," conscious of my morning glory there—oh, she of the skies! munching angel's food.
Whatever I had said or done, moreover, the Basin would have applauded; yet such cheers as I heard now left no doubt upon my too-willing and plastic sense of a phenomenal and hitherto unsuspected ability.
"Vesty," said Elder Skates, starting to his feet, "will you start—start—start—anything?"
"We always do sing
"'In the prison cells I set,
Thinking, mother dear, of you,'
to flag-raisin'," said the ever well-informed and officious Lunette.