Jimmy would not desert his ship while she floated , but managed to spend his Sundays out of town , often taking Will with him as first mate ; and , thanks to her lively tongue , friends were soon made for the new-comers . Mrs. Nelson found plenty of sewing , Kitty grew strong and well in the fine air , and the farmer with whom they lived , seeing what a handy lad the boy was , offered him work and wages for the autumn , so all could be independent and together . With this comfortable prospect before him , Jimmy sang away like a contented blackbird , never tiring of his duty , for he was a general favorite , and Kitty literally strewed his way with flowers gathered by her own grateful little hands . When the last day came , he was in such spirits that he was found doing double-shuffles in corners , hugging the midshipmite , who was a little girl of about Kitty 's age , and treating his messmates to peanuts with a lavish hand . Will had her hornpipe , also , when the curtain was down , kissed every one of the other `` sisters , cousins , and aunts , '' and joined lustily in the rousing farewell cheers given by the crew . A few hours later , a cheerful-looking boy might have been seen trudging toward one of the railway-stations . A new hat , brave in blue streamers , was on his head ; a red balloon struggled to escape from one hand ; a shabby carpet-bag , stuffed full , was in the other ; and a pair of shiny shoes creaked briskly , as if the feet inside were going on a very pleasant errand . About this young traveller , who walked with a sailor-like roll and lurch , revolved a little girl chattering like a magpie , and occasionally breaking into song , as if she could n't help it . `` Be sure you come next Saturday ; it wo n't be half such fun if you do n't go halves , '' said the boy , beaming at her as he hauled down the impatient balloon , which seemed inclined to break from its moorings '' ` Yes , I know That is so ! ' '' hummed the girl with a skip to starboard , that she might bear a hand with the bag . `` Keep some cherries for me , and do n't forget to give Kit the doll I dressed for her . '' `` I should n't have been going myself if it had n't been for you , Will . I never shall forget that , '' said Jimmy , whom intense satisfaction rendered rather more sedate than his friend . `` Running away to sea is great fun , ` With a tar that ploughs the water ! ' '' sung Will in spite of herself . '' ` And a gallant captain 's daughter , ' '' echoed Jimmy , smiling across the carpet-bag . Then both joined in an irrepressible chorus of `` Dash it ! Dash it ! '' as a big man nearly upset them and a dog barked madly at the balloon . Being safely landed in the train , Jimmy hung out of the window till the last minute , discussing his new prospects with Will , who stood on tiptoe outside , bubbling over with fun .
`` I 'll teach you to make butter and cheese , and you shall be my dairy-woman , for I mean to be a farmer , '' he XXXXX , just as the bell rang .
beaming discussing forget found given rendered said sang struggled upset