Fairyland

Начало книги

One morning, while the steamer lay in the harbor of Port au Prince, little Blue Ribbon ran into the breakfast hall. Breathlessly she approached the table.

"Isn't Momma here yet?"

No, Momma was still in her cabin, but the officers and other passengers welcomed Blue Ribbon into their midst. Never had any woman been so welcome aboard the "President" as this carefree six-year old; if she drank from a man's cup, he was lucky all through the day. She always wore a tiny white dress, and a little blue bow kissed her golden locks. Each day she was asked a hundred times, "Why are you called Blue Ribbon?" Then she would reply, laughing, "So that I may always be found if I stray!" But she never strayed, even when she went out through the streets of every strange port. She was an elflike child, clever as a little animal.

None of those at the table could hold her. She came around to climb into the Captain's lap. The sturdy Frisian laughed; Blue Ribbon always favored him, and this was one of his proudest accomplishments. "Dunk!" she cried, and soaked her biscuit in his tea cup.

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