"Elise, you're a genius. I'll take the book, and also some of this
candy. I'm glad Hilda gave me this bag; it's most convenient."

The bag in question was a large, plain affair of dark green cloth, with
a black ribbon drawstring. It proved to be Patty's constant companion,
as it was roomy enough to hold gloves, veils, handkerchiefs, as well as
pencil and paper, and anything else they might need through the day. It
hung conveniently on the back of Patty's deck chair, and became as
famous as the bag of the lady in "Swiss Family Robinson."

As Patty had anticipated, she did not do any reading that morning, but
neither did she gaze at the ocean and dream. She discovered that life on
an ocean steamer is apt to be full of incident and abounds in
occupation.

No sooner had she and Elise arranged themselves in their chairs than
along came two gay and laughing girls, who stopped to talk to them.

"We're going to introduce ourselves," said one of them. "I am Alicia Van
Ness, and this is my little sister Doris. We're from Chicago, and we
like the looks of you girls, and we want to be chums. Though, of course,
it's up to you, and if you don't like our looks you've only to say so
and we'll never trouble you again."

"Speak out!" chimed in the other girl, who was quite as vivacious as her
sister. "We're not a bit stupid, and we can take the slightest hint. I
can see you don't quite approve of us"--and she looked shrewdly at
Patty, who had unconsciously assumed an air of hauteur as she watched
the frank-mannered Western girls--"but really and truly we're awfully
nice after you get acquainted with us."