"You'll probably get it," said Mr. Farrington. "And now, my cherished
ones, let us take a look in at the library and drawing-room, and then
let us seek our staterooms."

So the parry adjourned to the brilliantly lighted saloon, where many of
the passengers had congregated to spend the after-dinner hour. It was a
beautiful apartment, even more gorgeous and elaborate than the dining-
room, and furnished with inviting-looking easy-chairs, sofas, and divans
of puffy upholstery. Gilt-framed tables were scattered about for the
benefit of the card-players, and attractively appointed writing-desks
made Patty suddenly realise that she wanted to write letters home at
once. But remembering that they could not possibly be mailed for ten
days to come, she decided to defer them at least until the morrow.

Well-filled bookcases attracted the girls' attention, and
notwithstanding the large amount of reading matter they had of their
own, they were glad to see some well-known favourites behind the glass
doors.

Patty was surprised when Mr. Farrington proposed that they should all go
to the dining-room for a bit of supper before retiring. It seemed to her
but a short time since they had dined; and yet she realised the
suggestion was not entirely unwelcome.

"Is it imperative that we shall eat more meals on sea than on land?" she
inquired, as they took their places at the table.

"Not imperative, perhaps," the captain answered her, smiling, "but
unless you seem to appreciate my cook's efforts to please you I shall