Rapture of the Deep by Louis A. Meyer

Author:Louis A. Meyer [Meyer, Louis A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Europe, Historical, Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure, Love & Romance, Girls & Women
ISBN: 9780547551203
Publisher: Graphia
Published: 2011-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

We're all onboard and suiting up for tonight's performance at Ric's. I had expected Jim, Davy, and Tink to come back dressed in the loose linen suits favored by the local gentry, but no, they all had bought short, tight, heavily brocaded jackets that come down only to the waist, with gold trimmed tails behind, tight white trousers below, in short, exactly what young Spanish naval officers would have chosen. Seems the lads have given themselves promotions. Oh, well ... They do look good, I must say.

Joannie and Daniel returned as Higgins and I arrived, and then went rather quickly down below—rather too quickly, I'm thinking—and I waste no time in plunging down after them to find out what mischief the two little rotters have been up to.

The kids are standing by the stove, facing away. "All right, out with it," I demand. "What did you do?" I take Joannie by the shoulders and spin her around.

There, hanging from her left earlobe is a bright gold ring. A quick glance at Daniel proves that he wears one, too.

They both try weak, anxious smiles. "The Sailor's Bargain, remember?" says Joannie.

I do not smile. "Both of you. In my cabin. Now!"

Their smiles disappear as they dash toward my cabin and to what they must assume will be certain doom. The two miscreants are standing nervously next to my table when I get there. I say nothing as I go to my medicine cabinet and pull out the bottle of pure alcohol.

"All right. Across the table, both of you. Earring up."

They do it and I am reminded of the many times I myself was spread out across Mistress Pimm's desk at the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston, my skirts up, my bottom ready to receive the rod.

Instead of the whip, I have something better in mind for these two. I start with Daniel. I soak a clean piece of cloth in the spirits of wine, peer at his swollen red earlobe, and then place the alcohol directly upon the wound. He flinches, but does not cry out; he merely lets out a long eeeeeeeee! I flip his earlobe over and hit it from the back. Another eeeeeeee! I hit the lobe with a healthy dab of my healing salve, and that's it.

"All right, you. You're done, but we will do this every day till your ear heals up ... or turns black and falls off. Do you understand, Daniel Prescott? Good. Now stand up."

Now for Joannie. Her ear is more swollen and inflamed than Daniel's. Damn! I put the alcohol to it and she, too, jerks, but she makes not a sound. I clean out the blood that has gathered about the hoop on both sides, give the ring a quarter turn to make sure the alcohol gets right in there, and she squirms and writhes on the tabletop. I know it hurts, but it's good for you. Then it's the salve, then up on her feet.

I confront her. "I can't believe it.

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