70 THE ADMIRAL'S TEA-PARTY 



hidden from me. I suggest a sitting position as 

 helpful in avoiding " splits," but this idea is 

 peremptorily rejected and a standing attitude is 

 evidently the only one to adopt. 



A manly step is now heard advancing, and out 

 of the darkness emerges the brilliant Admiral, his 

 heavy gold epaulettes, long sword, and glittering 

 belt and medals showing up against the dark-blue 

 uniform. He stops for an instant in front of me, 

 and with his heels together makes me a beautiful, 

 graceful salute. Then, moving briskly about the 

 room, his hand dives into his coat-tail pocket in 

 search of a match-box. I notice that everything 

 about him is nautical, for even this little box has, 

 painted on it, a dark-blue sea and yet darker 

 Dreadnoughts and cruisers. 



Whilst I intently watch him lighting the many 

 candles that are dispersed about the room, I 

 suddenly become aware that the anxious figure in 

 the cloak is transformed into a smart, slender, 

 white-clad sailor lad. A cap which is hurriedly 

 produced from some recess and is poised at the 

 right angle on his head has a dark-blue band upon 

 which in letters of gold is printed " H.M.S. Ragged" 

 The whole position is now explained, and the Land 

 of Let's Pretend is suddenly opened out map-like 

 before me. I am evidently being entertained on 

 board the Admiral's ship, and this sailor-lad is 

 one of his attendant Jack Tars. 



" Now sharp's the word," says the Admiral. 



" What are you idly standing there for, Saunders ? 



Get to your guns and see that Churcher is ready." 



Meanwhile, Churcher, who is twin sailor to 



