She smiled faintly.
"You are very clever with your fingers.

Where did you learn it?
Have you a sister who makes you wind her wool for her at home ?" "No.

I have no sister.

I went to sea once upon a time." "Were you ever in the navy, Mr.Griggs ?" "Oh no.

I went before the mast." "But you would not learn to unravel wool before the mast.