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Pearl Tales
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Pirates of the Caribbean
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a A Difference of Opinion by
Hereswith |
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| “Papa,” she said, standing on tiptoe and leaning against the window glass so that she could catch a glimpse of the carriages arriving, “why couldn’t I be a pirate?” Weatherby Swann’s hand stilled above the delicate snuff-box and he sighed, wishing, not for the first time and, he suspected, not for the last, that his wife still was alive. A mother’s guidance would, perhaps, have inspired his wayward child to pursue interests more suited to her sex. He took a pinch of snuff, closed the box and put it in his pocket before replying, “You are a young lady, Elizabeth, and young ladies should not dream of piracy.” “Why not?” “Why not?” He shook his head. “That is a question you should not even have to ask. The very notion is preposterous.” She turned to him, then, looking thoughtful. “Would you say so if I was a boy, papa? Anne’s brother went to sea when he was—” “Anne’s brother,” Weatherby sternly interrupted, “should not set an example for my daughter. Furthermore, while being an officer in the King’s Navy is an honest profession, being a pirate is certainly not. There is no truth to those stories, Elizabeth,” he continued, in a gentler tone. “Even this John Sparrow—“ “Jack,” she corrected. “Captain Jack Sparrow.” Weatherby’s brows rose a fraction, but he said merely, “Very well. Even he is nothing more than a simple criminal. And a dangerous one, no doubt.” “But—“ “Elizabeth!” he admonished and she fell quiet, but her expression turned distinctly mulish. “Come now, my dear, it is my birthday, is it not? And you are mistress of the house. It won’t do to keep the guests waiting.” He smiled, hoping to coax a smile from her too, and though she did not smile back, after a brief moment, during which she seemed to struggle with herself, she approached and tucked her arm through his. “No, papa.” He knew her well enough to recognise the stubborn tilt of her chin. The battle was far from won, but he had, at least, and quite to his relief, gained a reprieve, and he squeezed her arm lightly, as they made for the stairs. Captain Jack Sparrow, indeed. Evident proof that he needed to do something about her reading habits. ~.~ All our authors thrive on feedback. Email the Webmaster to have comments forwarded to the author.
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