)
CHIEF. Thank you. (to 1ST PIRATE) Cecil, have you your pencil and
notebook with you?
1ST PIRATE (producing them). Ay, ay, Captain.
CHIEF. Then we will cross-examine the prisoner. (to GOVERNESS) Name?
GOVERNESS. Pinniger.
1ST PIRATE (writing). Pincher.
CHIEF. Christian names, if any?
GOVERNESS. Letitia.
1ST PIRATE (writing). Letisher--how would you spell it, Captain?
CHIEF. Spell it like a sneeze. Age?
GOVERNESS. Twenty-three.
CHIEF (to 1ST PIRATE). Habits--untruthful. Appearance--against her.
Got that?
1ST PIRATE. Yes, sir.
CHIEF (to GOVERNESS). And what are you for?
GOVERNESS. I teach. Oliver and Jill, you know.
CHIEF. And what do you teach them?
GOVERNESS. Oh, everything. Arithmetic, French, Geography, History,
Dancing----
CHIEF (holding up his hand). A moment! I would take counsel with
Percy. (to 2ND PIRATE) Percy, what shall we ask her in Arithmetic?
(The 2ND PIRATE whispers to him.) Excellent. (To her) If you really
are a teacher as you say, answer me this question. The brigantine
_Cocktail_ is in longitude 40 deg. 39' latitude 22 deg. 50', sailing
closehauled on the port tack at 8 knots in a 15-knot nor'-nor'
westerly breeze--how soon before she sights the Azores?
GOVERNESS.
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