Such a crowd of girls and boys as they found at the hall where they were told to apply for inspection ; such a chirping and piping went on there , it sounded like a big cage full of larks and linnets ; and by and by , when the trial was over , such a smiling troop of children as was left to be drilled by the energetic gentlemen who had the matter in hand . Among this happy band stood our Jimmy , chosen for his good voice , and Will , because of her bright face and lively , self-possessed manners . They could hardly wait to be dismissed , and it was a race home to see who should be first to tell the good news . Jimmy tried to be quiet on Kitty 's account , but failed entirely ; and it was a pleasant sight to see the boy run into his mother 's arms , crying joyfully , -- `` I 'm in ! I 'm in ! Ten dollars a week ! Hurrah ! '' `` I can hardly believe it ! '' And weary Mrs. Nelson dropped her needle to indulge in a few moments of delightful repose . `` If it goes well they may want us for a month or six weeks , '' the man said . `` Just think , maybe I 'll get fifty or sixty dollars ! and Baby will get well right off , '' cried Jimmy , in an arithmetical sort of rapture , as he leaned above Kitty , who tried to clap her little hands without quite knowing what the joy was all about . HOW HE SAILED . After that day Jimmy led a very happy life , for he loved music and enjoyed the daily drill with his mates , though it was long before he saw the inside of the theatre . Will knew a good deal about it , for an actor 's family had boarded with her mother , and the little girl had been behind the scenes . But to Jimmy , who had only seen one fairy play , all was very strange when at last he went upon the stage ; for the glittering world he expected was gone , and all was dusty , dark , and queer , with trap-doors underfoot , machinery overhead , and a wilderness of scenery jumbled together in the drollest way . He was all eyes and ears , and enjoyed himself immensely as he came and went , sung and acted , with the troop of lads who made up the sailor chorus . It was a real ship to him , in spite of painted cannon , shaky masts , and cabin doors that led nowhere . He longed to run up the rigging ; but as that was forbidden , for fear of danger , he contented himself by obeying orders with nautical obedience , singing with all his might , and taking great satisfaction in his blue suit with the magical letters `` H. M. S. Pinafore '' round his cap . Day by day all grew more and more interesting .
His mother was never tired of hearing his adventures , he sung Kitty to sleep with the new songs , and the neighbors took such a friendly interest in his success that they called him Lord XXXXX , and predicted that he would be as famous as his great namesake .
Baby Kitty Nelson Pinafore daily dollars first left linnets trap-doors