Yes , I am going . Give you a chance down to the station , Natty , if you want one . '' Natty shook his head . `` Not going , '' he said briefly . `` You should celebrate Victoria Day , '' said Adam , patriotically . '' ` Twenty-fourth o ' May 's the Queen 's birthday , Ef we do n't get a holiday we 'll all run away , ' as we used to say at school . The good old Queen is dead , but the day 's been app ` inted a national holiday in honour of her memory and you should celebrate it becoming , Natty-boy . '' `` Ev and I ca n't both go , and he 's going , '' explained Natty . `` Prue and I 'll stay home to light up . Must be getting back now . Looks squally . '' `` I misdoubt if we 'll have Queen 's weather tomorrow , '' said Cooper , squinting critically at the sky . `` Looks like a northeast blow , that 's what . There goes Bliss , striding off and looking pretty mad . The Cockawee 's a dead loss to him , that 's what . Nat 's off -- he knows how to handle a boat middling well , too . Pity he 's such a puny youngster . Not much to him , I reckon . '' Natty had cast loose in his boat , the Merry Maid , and hoisted his sail . In a few minutes he was skimming gaily down the bay .
The wind was fair and piping and the Merry Maid went XXXXX a bird .
Cockawee Cooper Day as at down if in like to