You must paddle your own canoe now , and learn to avoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want to reach . I do n't know just what your temptations will be for you have no bad habits and seem to love music so well , nothing can lure you from it . I only hope you wo n't work too hard . ' ' I feel as if I could work like a horse , I 'm so eager to get on ; but I 'll take care . Ca n't waste time being sick , and you 've given me doses enough to keep me all right , I guess . ' Nat laughed as he remembered the book of directions Mrs Jo had written for him to consult on all occasions . She immediately added some verbal ones on the subject of foreign messes , and having mounted one of her pet hobbies , was in full gallop when Emil was seen strolling about on the roof of the old house , that being his favourite promenade ; for there he could fancy himself walking the deck , with only blue sky and fresh air about him . ' I want a word with the Commodore , and up there we shall be nice and quiet . Go and play to Daisy : it will put her to sleep and do you both good . Sit in the porch , so I can keep an eye on you as I promised ' ; and with a motherly pat on the shoulder Mrs Jo left Nat to his delightful task and briskly ascended to the house-top , not up the trellis as of old but by means of the stairs inside . Emerging on the platform she found Emil cutting his initials afresh in the wood-work and singing ` Pull for the Shore ' , like the tuneful mariner he was . ` Come aboard and make yourself at home , Aunty , ' he said , with a playful salute . ` I 'm just leaving a P.P.C. in the old place , so when you fly up here for refuge you 'll remember me . ' ` Ah , my dear , I 'm not likely to forget you . It does n't need E. B. H. cut on all the trees and railings to remind me of my sailor boy ' ; and Mrs Jo took the seat nearest the blue figure astride the balustrade , not quite sure how to begin the little sermon she wanted to preach . ` Well , you do n't pipe your eye and look squally when I sheer off as you used to , and that 's a comfort . I like to leave port in fair weather and have a jolly send-off all round . Specially this time , for it will be a year or more before we drop anchor here again , ' answered Emil , pushing his cap back , and glancing about him as if he loved old Plum and would be sorry never to see it any more . ` You have salt water enough without my adding to it . I 'm going to be quite a Spartan mother , and send my sons to battle with no wailing , only the command : `` With your shield or on it '' , ' said Mrs Jo cheerfully , adding after a pause : ' I often wish I could go too , and some day I will , when you are captain and have a ship of your own -- as I 've no doubt you will before long , with Uncle Herman to push you on . '
` When I do I 'll christen her the Jolly XXXXX and take you as first mate .
H. Herman Jo Nat Spartan day house-top railings wood-work year