"I wouldn't mind the falling," replied the young lady, "if you only
would some pretty story tell; but you are very prosaic, Mr. Morris. Do
you ever read anything at all?"

"I never read when I have somebody more interesting than a book to talk
to."

"Oh, thank you. Now, if you will get into position on the stairway, I
shall make my attempts at getting to the door."

"I feel like a base-ball catcher," said Morris, taking up a position
somewhat similar to that of the useful man behind the bat.

Miss Earle, however, waited until the ship was on an even keel, then
walked to the top of the companion-way, and, deftly catching up the
train of her dress with as much composure as if she were in a ballroom,
stepped lightly down the stairway. Looking smilingly over her shoulder
at the astonished baseball catcher, she said--

"I wish you would not stand in that ridiculous attitude, but come and
accompany me to the breakfast table. As I told you, I am very hungry."

The steamer gave a lurch that nearly precipitated Morris down the
stairway, and the next moment he was by her side.

"Are you fond of base-ball?" she said to him.

"You should see me in the park when our side makes a home run. Do you
like the game?"