"The glass-blower's a deep one, all right," remarked Dick to Shirley. "He
jollies me occasionally, just to show there's no hard feeling; then he
jollies the governor; and when I saw our mother footing it on his arm
this afternoon I almost fell in a faint. I wish you'd hold on to him
tight till we're docked. My little friend from California is crazy about
him--and I haven't dared tell her he's only a drummer; such a fling would
be unchivalrous of me--"

"It would, Richard. Be a generous foe--whether--whether you can afford to
be or not!"

"My sister--my own sister says this to me! This is quite the unkindest.
I'm going to offer myself to the daughter of the redwoods at once."

Shirley and Armitage talked--as people will on ship-board--of everything
under the sun. Shirley's enthusiasms were in themselves interesting; but
she was informed in the world's larger affairs, as became the daughter of
a man who was an authority in such matters, and found it pleasant to
discuss them with Armitage. He felt the poetic quality in her; it was
that which had first appealed to him; but he did not know that something
of the same sort in himself touched her; it was enough for those days
that he was courteous and amusing, and gained a trifle in her eyes from
the fact that he had no tangible background.

Then came the evening of the fifth day. They were taking a turn after
dinner on the lighted deck. The spring stars hung faint and far through
thin clouds and the wind was keen from the sea. A few passengers were
out; the deck stewards went about gathering up rugs and chairs for the
night.