Selwyn hasn't turned up, perhaps you would care to - "
"Be a pirate?" put in the Imp. "To come for a row with us?" I
corrected.
"Aboard the good ship Black Death," he went on, "'with the skull
an' cross-bones at our peak."
"Thanks," said Lisbeth, "but really, I don't think I should. What
a horrible name!"
"What's in a name? a boat by any other - " I misquoted. "If you
like, we'll call it the Joyful Hope, bound for the Land of Heart's
Delight."
Lisbeth shook her head, but I fancied the dimple peeped at me for
a moment.
"It would be a pity to disappoint Louise," I said, reaching up to
stroke the fluffy kitten.
"Yes," cried Dorothy, "do let's go, Auntie."
"For the sake of Louise," I urged, and held out my arms to her.
Lisbeth was standing on the top stair and I on the lower, in
exactly the same attitudes as I had beheld in my vision. I saw
her foot come slowly toward me and stop again; her red lips
quivered into a smile, and lo, there was the dimple! Dorothy saw
it, too - children are wonderfully quick in such matters - and
next moment was ensconced in the boat, Louise in her lap, and
there was nothing left for Lisbeth but to follow.
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