" added the captain, "having
unburdened my mind, I'll leave you to sleep over the matter. Tak time to
consider, and let me know your wull in the morning."

CHAPTER XII.

Not all the taking time to consider, "nor all the morns" that ever came
reconciled Schillie to the captain's plan. For my part I liked it, and
am free to own that I entered into all the fun, and oddities the young
ones proposed to themselves in living for six weeks _al fresco_. Madame
had great misgivings about the matter. She did not think lessons would
prosper; the cultivation of ladylike behaviour would be very
difficult--manners would be at a very low ebb--music would be utterly
abolished, and she was fast approaching a declaration on Schillie's
side, when Serena, by a master-stroke of policy, brought her round. "We
will speak any language you like, Madame," said she, "whatever we are
doing, we can always speak in the language you order us." "So you can,
my love," said Madame, most benignantly, "so I desire at once that you
speak French, Mondays and Thursdays; Italian, Tuesdays and Fridays;
German, Wednesdays and Saturdays."

"Oh come, come," said Gatty, "that's too bad, how am I ever to get all
the nonsense, that is in my head, out if I am only to talk English on
Sundays."

"My dear! you ought to have no nonsense in your head."

"But there it is, Madame, and you will be very angry if I break the
Sabbath, by making puns and guessing jokes all Sunday."

"My dear Gertrude, your spirits carry you quite too far."

"Then think, Madame, what they will be on Sundays if my spirits are
corked up all the other six days."

"I have not the least objection to your making puns either in French,
Italian, or German."

"You're extremely kind, Madame, and I should feel most grateful for such
kind permission, had I the least perception how I can profit by it."

"It is my wish that you all should understand those languages equally as
well as your own."

"I have no doubt, Madame, that you will always be able to wish us such
proficiency."

"No doubt, my dear child, no doubt, and that is the only drawback to my
pleasure on the voyage, namely the number of interruptions and constant
holidays you obtain."

"You are a pert young lady, Miss Gatty," said Schillie, "and had better
leave the Mother to settle with Madame; come with me and let us see what
fish the boys have got for supper."

I promised Madame that regular school should be held every day,