time of growth, all combined to excite his curiosity and desire
for closer knowledge. And then the crowning luxury of a bath,
clean clothes, and a good meal on white linen and china! As he
dropped asleep that night he reflected contentedly that, after
all, things have a way of coming right in this world for those who
accept them cheerfully as they come.




X

A CHANGE OF PLAN


On the following morning Kirk despatched a long letter to his
father, explaining, as well as he could, how he came to be in
Panama, and giving a detailed account of the events that had
befallen him since his arrival. He would have preferred to cable
this message collect, but Mrs. Cortlandt convinced him that he
owed a fuller explanation than could well be sent over the wires.
Although he took this means of relieving his father's anxiety, he
was far from resigning himself to a further delay of his return.
On the contrary, he at once began an inquiry as to sailing dates,
discovering, to his intense disgust, that no ship was scheduled to
leave for New York within several days. He planned to borrow the
passage money from his friends, when the time came, and accompany
his letter northward. Meanwhile he devoted his time to sight-
seeing with his hostess.