The latter did not even look again at the lifeboat as the little party
passed it on the way to the staterooms. But Russ Bunker's mind was fixed
upon that boat and what he had seen in it, just the same. He really
could not decide what to do. He was very much puzzled.

Even his mother and father noticed that Russ was rather silent at the
lunch table; but he said he was all right. He had something to think
about, he told them. Daddy and Mother Bunker looked at each other and
smiled. Russ had a way of thinking over things before he put his small
troubles before them, and they suspected that nothing much was the
matter.

But Rose whispered to her brother before they left the table.

"I think that isn't very polite, Russ Bunker."

Russ looked startled.

"What isn't polite?" he asked almost angrily.

"I saw you do that," she said, in the same admonishing way.

"Do what?" he demanded boldly.

"Put those rolls and the apple in your pocket. You wouldn't do that at
home."

"Well, we're not at home, are we?" he said. "You just keep still, Rose
Bunker."