Into the sea among the ships.'"


The doctor stood still, making a trumpet of his hands. "Ship ahoy!" he
called.

The next instant seven girls came wriggling and scrambling down from the
various branches. "Oh! Daddy," Patricia cried joyously, "we're having
the jolliest time--we're pirates! I'm captain--

"'My name is Captain Kidd,
And most wickedly I did,
As I sailed, as I sailed!'"


"And, according to report, before you sailed, young lady. Suppose you
make explanation regarding certain late extremely piratical
proceedings."

"You mean about the supper, Daddy? You see, we didn't feel very
partified--at least, we thought we didn't look exactly--"

As she hesitated, the doctor, glancing from one to another of the seven,
nodded comprehendingly. "I quite agree with you, Pat; you do not look
very--partified."

They were so dusty, so disheveled; all but Patricia had shoes
on--Custard had made off with both of Susy's, and Patricia had most
willingly offered hers--the opportunity to go barefoot was too good to
be lost; Nell had only one stocking, Kitty none at all, Ruth was wearing