“The monkey was in the rigging, so they just came on the ship,” Rachel volunteered.

“Did they⁠—er⁠—fight with the sailors? Did you see them hit anybody? Or threaten anybody?”

“Yes!” cried Edward, and jumped up from his chair, his eyes wide and inspired. “ Bing! Bang! Bong! ” he declared, thumping the seat at each word; then sat down again.

“They didn’t,” said Emily. “Don’t be silly, Edward.”

“Bing, bang, bong,” he repeated, with less conviction.

“ Bung! ” contributed Harry to his support, from under the arm of the fanatical aunt.

“Bim-bam, bim-bam,” singsonged Laura, suddenly waking up and starting a tattoo of her own.