Tell about the happy days on the Urania , when papa grew better and we were all safe and homeward bound , ' said Mary , with the trusting look and comforting touch which seemed to banish the dark and recall the bright side of that terrible experience . Emil cheered up at once , and sitting with his arm about his ` dear lass ' , in true sailor fashion told the happy ending of the tale . ` Such a jolly old time as we had at Hamburg ! Uncle Hermann could n't do enough for the captain , and while mamma took care of him , Mary looked after me . I had to go into dock for repairs ; fire hurt my eyes , and watching for a sail and want of sleep made 'em as hazy as a London fog . She was pilot and brought me in all right , you see , only I could n't part company , so she came aboard as first mate , and I 'm bound straight for glory now . ' ` Hush ! that 's silly , dear , ' whispered Mary , trying in her turn to stop him , with English shyness about tender topics . But he took the soft hand in his , and proudly surveying the one ring it wore , went on with the air of an admiral aboard his flagship . ` The captain proposed waiting a spell ; but I told him we were n't like to see any rougher weather than we 'd pulled through together , and if we did n't know one another after such a year as this , we never should . I was sure I should n't be worth my pay without this hand on the wheel ; so I had my way , and my brave little woman has shipped for the long voyage . God bless her ! ' ` Shall you really sail with him ? ' asked Daisy , admiring her courage , but shrinking with cat-like horror from the water . ` I 'm not afraid , ' answered Mary , with a loyal smile . ` I 've proved my captain in fair weather and in foul , and if he is ever wrecked again , I 'd rather be with him than waiting and watching ashore . ' ' A true woman , and a born sailor 's wife ! You are a happy man , Emil , and I 'm sure this trip will be a prosperous one , ' cried Mrs Jo , delighted with the briny flavour of this courtship . ` Oh , my dear boy , I always felt you 'd come back , and when everyone else despaired I never gave up , but insisted that you were clinging to the main-top jib somewhere on that dreadful sea ' ; and Mrs Jo illustrated her faith by grasping Emil with a truly Pillycoddian gesture . ` Of course I was ! '
answered Emil heartily ; ` and my `` main-top XXXXX '' in this case was the thought of what you and Uncle said to me .
Daisy Hamburg Jo London Mary admiral days first flagship jib