"A man-of-war"—Dolly repeated.
"You know what that means, I hope, Dolly Copley?"
"I don't know. It means a soldier. The Bible says, Goliath was a man-of-war from his youth."
Dolly as she spoke looked mystified, and her words were met by a shout of laughter so loud and ringing that it almost abashed the child. Some other girls had joined the group and were standing around, and there were many to laugh. However, Dolly was never given to false shame. She waited for more light.
"It's a ship, Dolly," they cried. "You dear little innocent, don't you know as much as that?"
"It's a ship; and this is a big one. It is lying out in the Delaware."
"Then why is it called a man-of-war?" said Dolly.
"Because it is a war ship. Won't it be fun! just think!—the guns, and the officers, and the midshipmen!"
"What are midshipmen?"
"I don't know!" cried another. "They are somebodies that are always on a man-of-war; and they are young too. Baby officers, I suppose."