"They are officers," said the first speaker.
"No, they're not. They are learning to be officers. They're at school, and their school is a man-of-war; and their teachers are the captain, and the lieutenants, and so on."
"And what are their lessons about?" said Dolly.
"I don't know. Oh, they are learning to be officers, you know. Really they are boys at school."
"Some of them are old enough," remarked another.
"Learning what, Eudora?" said Dolly.
"How do I know, chicken? I've never been a midshipman myself. You can ask them if you like, when we go on board. For we are going on board, girls! Hurrah! We shall drive over to the Navy Yard, and there we shall get into boats, and then we shall row—I mean be rowed—out into the stream to the ship. It's a big frigate, the 'Achilles;' and Mrs. Delancy knows the captain; and she says it's a good chance, and she will not have us lose it. Hurrah, girls! this is prime."
"What's a frigate?" was Dolly's next question.
"Dolly Copley, you are ridiculous! you want to understand everything."
"Don't you?"