ommy gave a scream of delight when they saw the little
kids, and even little Albert clapped his hands. As soon as Ready put
them down on the ground, Tommy and Caroline had each their arms round
one.

"I've brought an addition to our family, Mrs Seagrave," said Ready: "we
must allow them to remain in the house until I can knock up a little
shelter for them. This is only a beginning; I expect we shall soon have
more."

As soon as the children could be persuaded to part with the kids, Nanny
was tied up in a corner, and was very content with fondling and nursing
her progeny. Juno and William brought in the breakfast, and as soon as
it was over, Mr Seagrave said, "Now, Ready, I think we must hold a
council, and make arrangements as to our allotted duties and employments
during the rainy season. We have a great deal to do, and must not be
idle."

"Yes, sir, we have a great deal to do, and, to get through our work, we
must have order and method in our doings. I've lived long enough to
know how much can be done by regularity and discipline. Why, sir, there
is more work got out of men in a well-conducted man-of-war than there
can in the merchant service in double the time. And why so? Because
everything is in its place, and there is a place for everything."

"I agree with you," said Mrs Seagrave; "method is everything. While
one careless little girl is looking for her thimble, another will have
finished her work."

"I assure you I never should have known what can be done by order and
arrangement, if I had not been pressed on board of a man-of-war. I
found that everything was done in silence. Every man was to his post;
everyone had a rope to haul upon, or a rope to let go; the boatswain
piped, and in a few seconds every sail was set or taken in as was
required. It seemed to me at first like magic. And you observe, Mr
Seagrave, that when there is order and discipline, every man becomes of
individual importance. If I learnt nothing else on board of a
man-of-war, I learnt to make the most of time, and the most of the
strength which you could command."

"You are very right, Ready; you must teach us to do the same," replied
Mr Seagrave.

"We have so much to do, that I hardly know where to begin; yet, sir, we
must work at present how we can, and when we can, until we have got
things into a little better order. We have done well up to the
present."

"What do you think we ought to do first?"

"Well, sir, our f