They are the same kind of roses as those which grow about Grandmother Hamilton 's house in England . I used to love them so . '' `` In England ! Were you ever in England ? '' `` Oh , yes , '' laughed Florrie . `` And I 've been in pretty nearly every other country upon earth -- every one that a ship could get to , at least . '' `` Why , Florrie Hamilton ! Are you in earnest ? '' `` Indeed , yes . Perhaps you do n't know that our ` now-mother , ' as Jack says sometimes , is Father 's second wife . My own mother died when I was a baby , and my aunt , who had no children of her own , took me to bring up . Her husband was a sea-captain , and she always went on his sea-voyages with him . So I went too . I almost grew up on shipboard . We had delightful times . I never went to school . Auntie had been a teacher before her marriage , and she taught me . Two years ago , when I was fourteen , Father married again , and then he wanted me to go home to him and Jack and our new mother . So I did , although at first I was very sorry to leave Auntie and the dear old ship and all our lovely wanderings . '' `` Oh , tell me all about them , '' demanded Nan .
`` Why , Florrie Hamilton , to think you 've never said a word XXXXX your wonderful experiences !
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