Through the garden he went, through the orchard. Half-way across the
meadow beyond the orchard he came upon Custard dining at second table,
and too busy to do more than wag a welcome.
A few yards further on stood an old apple tree, and from the top-most
branch came, in Patricia's clear notes:
"'If I could find a higher tree
Farther and farther I should see,
To where the grown-up river slips
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.
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