CHAPTER VII

WESTERN FRIENDS


The girls slept restfully all night, and were awakened in the morning by
the entrance of Lisette, who was followed by the pleasant-faced and
voluble French stewardess. The day was bright and sunshiny, and half a
dozen times while she was dressing Patty stuck her head out of the
porthole to gaze at the sparkling blue water. On these occasions Elise
grasped her by the feet lest she should fall out. But as Patty's
substantial frame could not possibly have squeezed through the porthole,
the precaution was unnecessary.

After breakfast the girls prepared for a delightful morning on deck. The
breeze had freshened considerably, so Patty put on a long, warm ulster
that enveloped her from throat to feet. A long blue veil tied her trim
little hat in place, and when fully equipped she looked over the piles
of literature to make a selection.

"Do you know," she said to Elise, "I don't believe I shall read much; I
think I shall just sit and look at the water and dream."

"All right," said her practical friend; "but take a book with you, for
if you don't you're sure to want one; while if you do, you probably
won't look at it."