Lexie And Lady Kathleen Sail Back To London

Lady Kathleen and Lexie were living peaceably together. She had decided to keep her ships in dock while she did some thinking as well as getting used to having a house guest. Lexie didn't seem very happy with all the wonderful clothes and food that she had given her. She often would find her looking out at the sea. She offered her jewels and other treasures that she and her men had found treasure hunting, but Lexie turned them down. "Well, at least she doesn't cost me much in coin, that little one." But she continued to watch the young girl. She sure didn't smile much. There were so many wonderful things for a young

girl on her island. There were exotic birds and animals, "She should be happy, she thought with a frown. She won't even play with the alligators or the parrot I gave her. I just don't understand her. She won't sleep in her wonderful bed that I had paid a lot of coins for. She sleeps on the floor or outside. What am I to do with this one?"
Lexie was old enough to talk to so she decided that today was the day that the two of them would have a very serious talk. She needed to know what she could do to make this lass happy. She found her sitting on the beach just staring into the distance with a sad look on her face. "What is troubling you, lass? I can't seem to make you happy here."

Lexie looked at Lady Kathleen and said, "I miss London. I grew up there. I know I was poor and homeless. Sometimes people laughed at me or threw rotten food at me, but it was home. It was all I ever knew. I don't know why I am sad either. I just wish I had a friend. I wish I knew that the little girl whose grandmother took her away was happy. She was so scared and crying. I can't seem to get her out of my mind."
Lady Kathleen said, "But you do have friends, all of my sailors and servants are your friends. They can't understand why you can't be happy either. Do you really want to go to London and search for that little girl?"
Then Lexie smiled. "Yes, please. Could we go back to England? Maybe I could find a job there. Would you help me look for that little girl, please?"

Well, Lady Kathleen knew exactly where the little Marlee girl was. The runners that she had sent looking for her had returned with the message that she was living the good life with her cousin, Lady Bonita, in a huge home with many many bedrooms, servants and animals. She really didn't want to go there. There had been disagreements with that side of the family for many many years. Why stir it up now? On the other hand, she had never met Lady Bonita maybe she wasn't such a bad sort. She would have to think on it for a day or two. She was ready to get back at sea herself. Living on a ship was her way of life, so she half way understood Lexie's way of thinking. Even if life didn't give you everything you wanted in life, your life was yours and it seemed to fit. However, she was beginning to love this girl and wanted to do good by her. She would probably give the order to get the ship sea ready and loaded with supplies in the next day or two. There was much to be done. She would see to it.

Grandma Lu stopped her story for some questions. She had seen some hands in the air. One question was, "What kind of stuff do they need on the ship?" Another question was, "Do those pirates live on the ship or does she have to find a whole new crew to sail her ship?"
Grandma Lu said, "Well, what do you think they need on board ship? Do they need drinking water? Remember I said that the ocean water was salty."
The pirates belonged to Lady Kathleen. They seldom had any families, so they went to clubs and told "fish stories." The children of course, all wanted to know what a fish story was." Grandma Lu said, "There are many fishermen that like to stretch the truth a lot. When they catch a small fish they often say it was much much larger." Grandma Lu showed them a really big fish with her hands spread far apart.
All of a sudden children's hands went in the air. Grayson, Kylee, Brandon, and Charlie all told Grandma Lu about the fish that they had caught.  Cam said he and his dad went fishing and he caught one, but it wasn't very big. His dad said they needed to throw it back in the water to get bigger. Then he could catch it another day. What fun!
 One of the children said, "My mom says that all the time!" Everyone chuckled then got back to thinking about what went on the pirate ships for such a long journey. They figured they had to take a lot of food with them.

 When the children started thinking they answered many of their own questions. It was interesting they seemed to be gathering in small groups. They asked questions and answered them with little help from the grownups. They knew what they had to have everyday and knew that the crew on board ship would need the same thing. Grandma Lu just let them visit and discuss things among themselves for a few minutes.
But the real Marlee in the story group said, "How about a tablet? I need that every day." Then she giggled because she had made a joke. Everyone laughed and said, "Yes, and ice cream." There were more giggles.
Grandma Lu said, "Okay, let's get back to my story now. Lady Kathleen's ship was so large that it took two days to get the pirates and the men on the dock to load up the ship for Lexie and Lady Kathleen to sail on the ocean for many weeks. They would be setting sail in the morning.