Ben said he could see locust and wild honey sticking to it . I could n't . Perhaps John used a piece of the true cross for a tooth-pick . ' '' `` A larky sort of a boy says that , Mum , and we skip the parts where they describe what they saw in the different countries , '' cried Will . `` And those descriptions , taken mostly from guidebooks , I fancy , are the only parts of any real worth . The scrapes of the bad boys make up the rest of the story , and it is for those you read these books , I think , '' answered his mother , stroking back the hair off the honest little face that looked rather abashed at this true statement of the case . `` Anyway , mother , the ship part is useful , for we learn how to sail her , and by and by that will all come handy when we go to sea , '' put in Geordie . `` Indeed , then you can explain this manoeuvre to me , of course , '' and Mrs. Jessie read from another page the following nautical paragraph , `` The wind is south-south-west , and we can have her up four points closer to the wind , and still be six points off the wind . As she luffs up we shall man the fore and main sheets , slack on the weather , and haul on the lee braces . '' `` I guess I could , if I was n't afraid of uncle . He knows so much more than I do , he 'd laugh , '' began Geordie , evidently puzzled by the question . `` Ho , you know you ca n't , so why make believe ? We do n't understand half of the sea lingo , Mum , and I dare say it 's all wrong , '' cried Will , suddenly going over to the enemy , to Geordie 's great disgust . `` I do wish the boys would n't talk to me as if I was a ship , '' said Rose , bringing forward a private grievance . `` Coming home from church this morning , the wind blew me about , and Will called out , right in the street , ` Brail up the foresail , and take in the flying-jib , that will ease her . ' '' The boys shouted at the plaintive tone in which Rose repeated the words that offended her , and Will vainly endeavoured to explain that he only meant to tell her to wrap her cloak closer , and tie a veil over the tempest-tossed feathers in her hat . `` To tell the truth , if the boys must have slang , I can bear the ` sea lingo , ' as Will calls it , better than the other . It afflicts me less to hear my sons talk about ` brailing up the foresail ' than doing as they ` darn please , ' and ` cut your cable ' is decidedly preferable to ` let her rip . ' I once made a rule that I would have no slang in the house . I give it up now , for I can not keep it ; but I will not have rubbishy books ; so , Archie , please send these two after your cigars . ''
Mrs. XXXXX held both the small boys fast with an arm round each neck , and when she took this base advantage of them they could only squirm with dismay .
Archie Ben Jessie John Rose Will foresail guidebooks morning right