H.M.S. "PINAFORE"
teach my dear Father to dance a hornpipe on the cabin table."
It was Sir Joseph's firm belief that if Great Britain were to retain her proud position as the most powerful naval country in the world, it was essential that all her sailors should learn to dance hornpipes. It was all he knew about the Navy, and he had been three years learning that.
As Josephine soliloquized, she saw Ralph Rackstraw advancing towards her with an undulating swan-like motion that teemed with unspeakable grace.
"Ralph Rackstraw!" she exclaimed, withdrawing from her pocket the false nose which she always put on when she thought she was going to be too much admired.
"Nay, lady," said he, "put away yon pasteboard mockery. The matchless beauty of the real one is so deeply graven in my memory that I can see it even through that hollow absurdity."
"In that case," said she, "it is of course useless to wear it, for it is uncomfortable wear on a warm day." And she returned it to her pocket.
"Lady," said Ralph, "I have long wished to meet you alone."
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