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 Nelson , and predicted that he would be as famous as his great namesake . When the grand day came at last , and the crew of jolly young tars stood ready to burst forth with the opening chorus , `` We sail the ocean blue , Our saucy ship 's a beauty ; We 're gallant men and true , And bound to do our duty ! '' Jimmy hardly knew whether he stood on his head or his heels at first , for , in spite of many rehearsals , everything seemed changed . Instead of daylight , gas shone everywhere , the empty seats were full , the orchestra playing splendidly , and when the curtain rose , a sea of friendly faces welcomed them , and the pleasant sound of applause made the hearts under the blue jackets dance gayly . How those boys did sing ! how their eyes shone , and their feet kept time to the familiar strains ! with what a relish they hitched up their trousers and lurched about , or saluted and cheered as the play demanded . With what interest they watched the microscopic midshipmite , listened to Rafe as his sweet voice melodiously told the story of his hapless love , and smiled on pretty Josephine , who was a regular bluebird without the scream . `` Ai n't this fun ? '' whispered Jimmy 's next neighbor , taking advantage of a general burst of laughter , as the inimitable little bumboat woman advertised her wares with captivating drollery . `` Right down jolly ! '' answered Jimmy , feeling that a series of somersaults across the stage would be an immense relief to the pent-up emotions of his boyish soul .
For under all the natural excitement of the hour deep down lay the sweet certainty that he was earning health for XXXXX , and it made his heart sing for joy more blithely than any jovial chorus to which he lent his happy voice .
Josephine Kitty Nelson Pinafore bumboat daily daylight drollery midshipmite tars