"Jove! She's a corker! And she's not so old, after all. I wonder
who she--" He leaned over and read the card on the back of her
steamer chair. "Mrs. Stephen Cortlandt, Suite B," it was lettered.
Straightening up, he grumbled with genuine disappointment: "Just
my blamed luck! She's MARRIED."




V

A REMEDY IS PROPOSED


By pledging his one article of jewelry Kirk became possessed that
afternoon of several shirts, collars, and handkerchiefs--likewise
a razor, over which he exercised a sort of leasehold privilege.
The purser made it plain, however, that he had not sold these
articles, but merely loaned them, holding the ring as security for
their return, and this arrangement allowed Kirk no spare cash
whatever. Even with all his necessities paid for, it surprised him
to find how many channels remained for spending money. For
instance, the most agreeable loafing spot on the ship was the
smoking-room, but whenever he entered it he was invited to drink,
smoke, or play cards, and as he was fond of all these diversions,
it required such an effort of will to refuse that it destroyed all
the pleasure of good company. It was very hard always to be saying
no; and in addition it excited his disgust to learn that he had
inadvertently founded a reputation for abstemiousness.