His mother was never tired of hearing his adventures , he sung Kitty to sleep with the new songs , and the neighbors took such a friendly interest in his success that they called him Lord Nelson , and predicted that he would be as famous as his great namesake . When the grand day came at last , and the crew of jolly young tars stood ready to burst forth with the opening chorus , `` We sail the ocean blue , Our saucy ship 's a beauty ; We 're gallant men and true , And bound to do our duty ! '' Jimmy hardly knew whether he stood on his head or his heels at first , for , in spite of many rehearsals , everything seemed changed . Instead of daylight , gas shone everywhere , the empty seats were full , the orchestra playing splendidly , and when the curtain rose , a sea of friendly faces welcomed them , and the pleasant sound of applause made the hearts under the blue jackets dance gayly . How those boys did sing ! how their eyes shone , and their feet kept time to the familiar strains ! with what a relish they hitched up their trousers and lurched about , or saluted and cheered as the play demanded . With what interest they watched the microscopic midshipmite , listened to Rafe as his sweet voice melodiously told the story of his hapless love , and smiled on pretty Josephine , who was a regular bluebird without the scream . `` Ai n't this fun ? '' whispered Jimmy 's next neighbor , taking advantage of a general burst of laughter , as the inimitable little bumboat woman advertised her wares with captivating drollery . `` Right down jolly ! '' answered Jimmy , feeling that a series of somersaults across the stage would be an immense relief to the pent-up emotions of his boyish soul . For under all the natural excitement of the hour deep down lay the sweet certainty that he was earning health for Kitty , and it made his heart sing for joy more blithely than any jovial chorus to which he lent his happy voice . But his bliss was not complete till the stately Sir Joseph , K. C. B. , had come aboard , followed by `` his sisters and his cousins and his aunts ; '' for among that flock of devoted relatives in white muslin and gay ribbons was Will . Standing in the front row , her bright face was good to see , for her black eyes sparkled , every hair on her head curled its best , her cherry bows streamed in the breeze , and her feet pranced irresistibly at the lively parts of the music . She longed to dance the hornpipe which the little Quaker aunt did so capitally , but , being denied that honor , distinguished herself by the comic vigor with which she `` polished up the handle of the big front door , '' and did the other `` business '' recorded by the gallant `` ruler of the Queen 's Navee . '' She and Jimmy nodded to each other behind the Admiral 's august back , and while Captain Corcoran was singing to the moon , and Buttercup suffering the pangs of `` Wemorse , '' the young people had a gay time behind the scenes . Jimmy and Will sat upon a green baize bank to compare notes , while the relatives flew about like butterflies , and the sailors talked base-ball , jack-knives , and other congenial topics , when not envying Sir Joseph his cocked hat , and the Captain his epaulettes . It was a very successful launch , and the merry little crew set sail with a fair wind and every prospect of a prosperous voyage . When the first performance was over , our two children left their fine feathers behind them , like Cinderella when the magic hour struck , and went gayly home , feeling much elated , for they knew they should go back to fresh triumphs , and were earning money by their voices like Jenny Lind and Mario .
How they pitied other XXXXX and girls who could not go in at that mysterious little door ; how important they felt as parts of the spectacle about which every one was talking , and what millionnaires they considered themselves as they discussed their earnings and planned what to do with the prospective fortunes .
Lord boys breeze certainty feet hair pangs relish row spite