Yr Ynys Unyg | Page 9

Julia de Winton
blusters about as if he was six feet two, and
stout in proportion, instead of being a shrimp of the smallest
dimensions. He is getting a colour though, and his mother looks at him
quite happy. Winny is such an innocent little donkey, so quaint and
matter-of-factish.
"I suppose you don't care to hear about Gibraltar, you will get a much
better account in some Gazetteer than I can give you; I hate
descriptions. However, I'll look in our Gazetteer, and tell you if it is
true. All right, very good account. So now I will finish. I hope we shall
go across the Atlantic. The little mother is as cross as a bear; but, as she
cannot be so always, we are looking out for a change of weather. You
know I never can make civil speeches, so please say everything proper
for me, including my best of loves to papa and mamma. Ever, old girl,
believe me your most affectionate sister,
"GATTY."
CHAPTER IV.
I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the

feelings of our party. We now retraced our steps, though I should have
much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to
make the best of our way to Madeira. This we accomplished within two
days of the time we had promised to meet them. But alas! instead of
having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining
our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to
mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix
some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
Having now become a nautical character, I may be excused saying "that
I was quite taken aback." What to do, where to go, or how to manage, I
knew not. But to proceed. After a variety of consultations, a vast
quantity of advice from all sides, we, backed by our captain's wishes,
and rendered rampant by the stretch we had given our hitherto
home-clipped wings, decided that we would cross the Atlantic. So great
a change had taken place in the captain's mind regarding ourselves that
I am not quite sure he mourned at all for the defalcation of our male
escort. He had us all to himself now; and, in recommending us the trip
across the Atlantic, he reminded me that my brother was stationed at
Rio Janeiro, being captain in H.M.S. C----, and that we might cruise up
towards North America, and pick up the gentlemen, who, coming from
England in the fast-sailing packet boats, would not be more than a
fortnight or three weeks at most on the voyage. Of course all the
children were wild to go. Remaining in the Mediterranean was voted
dull and stupid. How charming to go to America, to see things much
more uncommon, much more curious. Everybody could and did see the
Mediterranean; it was quite a common yacht excursion. Besides, as I
overheard Gatty say to her companions, "Just think, Girls, what a bore
it would have been, if, in a month or two's time, our mother should
have got tired of the sea, or the little mother continued, every time we
have a gale, to get sea sick, they would have ordered us homewards,
without consulting our wishes, and at the end of three months we
should have been in stupid England again."
Sybil.--"Stupid England!"

Gatty.--"Stupid England. I did not say stupid England, did I?"
Sybil (much shocked).--"Yes, Gertrude, you did."
Gatty.--"Then, Sybil, I am very sorry. England is anything but stupid.
It's a glorious place. It's a delectable place. It's a place that if any one
dared to say a word against it, I really think I should feel very much
inclined to----"
Sybil.--"Well! What?"
Gatty (softly).--"Why, I should like to knock them down; only don't
mention my ideas. Madame will bother me, and say it is unladylike;
and perhaps she will give me Theresa Tidy's maxims to do into French
as a punishment."
Serena.--"Then we won't tell on any account; such a fate would be so
horrible. But I agree with you that it would be dreadfully stupid to go
home in three months. Now, if once we get to America, we shall have
so much to see and do that the winter would come on, and mother
would never trust all us precious people across the Atlantic in bad
weather, so we shall have to winter in New York perhaps."
Gatty.--"How jolly! won't I 'guess' and 'reckon' every minute; and won't
I fire up if I hear anyone abuse our monarchical and loyal constitution."
Sybil.--"What grand words, Gatty. Where did you pick them up?"
Serena.--"Oh, Gatty is so
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