"You say you are a veteran," she answered, "but you don't think so. It
would offend you very deeply to be called old."

"Oh, I don't know about that. I think such a remark is offensive only
when there is truth in it. A young fellow slaps his companion on the
shoulder and calls him 'old man.' The grey-haired veteran always
addresses his elderly friend as 'my boy.'"

"Under which category do you think you come, then?"

"Well, I don't come under either exactly. I am sort of on the middle
ground. I sometimes feel very old. In fact, to confess to you, I never
felt older in my life than I did yesterday. Today I am a great deal
younger."

"Dear me," replied the young lady, "I am sorry to hear that."

"Sorry!" echoed her companion; "I don't see why you should be sorry. It
is said that every one rejoices in the misfortunes of others, but it is
rather unusual to hear them admit it."

"It is because of my sympathy for others that I am sorry to hear you are
younger today than you were yesterday. If you take to running along the
deck today then the results will be disastrous and I think you owe it to
your fellow passengers to send the steward with his gong ahead of you so
as to give people in steamer chairs warning."

"Miss Earle," said the young man, "I thought you had forgiven me for
yesterday. I am sure I apologised very humbly, and am willing to