All Aboard: A Story for Girls

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER IV.

  INTRODUCTIONS.

  When they went back upon deck Faith had the pacified Hafiz in her arms,and was inclined to sympathize with her sister, who could not carryTexas about in that manner. But Hope needed no consolation. "PossiblyI cannot, yet," she allowed, "but wait a while. I intend to tameTexas, and then I shall have him to perch on my wrist like a falcon.And, just now, I don't know that I care to be hampered by any sort of ababy," laughing mischievously, for Faith looked quite motherly, withthe kitten wrapped in a fold of her cape.

  They had come above to see the lighthouse and Hurst Castle, at theopening into the Channel, which seemed to be held out from the mainlandby a long, thin arm of soil. The Channel here narrows to about a milein width, and these objects loom up conspicuously to the starboard ofthe outbound steamer. As they stood watching from the hurricane deck,to which they had ascended, and admiring not only the bright scenebefore them, but also the splendor and cleanliness of their father'sship, a boyish voice was heard to exclaim,

  "Well, I've explored as far as they'll let me, and I say she's a dandy!I believe she'll compare pretty well with the P. & O. liners, afterall, don't you, Bess?" And up through the companionway came a head ina yachting-cap, followed by a slender boy in gray, with a frank, buthomely visage.

  He gave the girls a keen glance, which they more modestly returned, andthey privately decided, after a second look, that his eyes were fineand his smile a pleasant one, if he was slightly snub-nosed andfreckled.

  Just behind him came the "Bess" of his question, a rather delicateyoung lady in appearance, possibly in her early twenties, the boy beingat least four years younger. She was not pretty, but as her eyeslighted upon the sisters, she too smiled so pleasantly, they were atonce drawn to her, and returned the wordless greeting with more thancivility. Then Hope broke out, impulsively,

  "We are watching the lighthouse. Doesn't it loom up well? Almost asif we were going to run into it."

  "True enough," returned "Bess," as both drew nearer, and the boy added,to Faith,

  "You've got an Angora, haven't you? We left one at home, didn't we,Bess? He's a splendid fellow, Chimmie Fadden is!"

  "Chimmie Fadden? What a funny name!" laughed the twins in chorus.

  "It's out of a story," he explained, "a Van Bibber story, and reallymeans Jimmy, you know, but that's the way the boy pronounced ithimself. He acts timid," this in reference to Hafiz, who burrowedunder Faith's arm, resenting his advances.

  "Yes, he doesn't like it on board, at all. It's all too strange, yet.Father gave him to me just before we started, and he hasn't become usedto anything--not even me."

  "And I've a parrot," put in Hope. "_He_ takes it out in scolding. Ishall not dare have him on deck until he gets over his sulks, and willtalk nice things. So far, he is a bit rude and outspoken for politesociety."

  Their light talk and laughter seemed to break all ice between them, ifthere had been any to break, and the young lady asked,

  "Do you go far? I noticed you on the forward deck. It is seldom onesees two people so exactly alike. Can even your own mother tell youapart?"

  "Our mother we have never known, she died when we were so little," saidFaith gently, "but Debby, our nurse, always knew, and so does father.Very few others do, though."

  "Is your father with you?"

  "Oh, yes, indeed!" laughed Hope. "We couldn't very well do withouthim--"

  "Oh, I know, I know. He's the _captain_! Isn't he now?" cried theboy. "I heard the head steward saying something to another officerabout the captain's daughters. Haven't I made a good guess?"

  "You certainly have," said Faith.

  "Then your name is Hosmer," added the boy, triumphantly. "I've beenover nearly the whole steamer, and she's fine! And I know our captainquite well, and like him first-rate, already."

  "Oh, you do?" laughed his sister. "Well, now you have ferreted out whothese young ladies are, I think we ought to introduce ourselves. Thisis my brother, Dwight Vanderhoff, of New York City, America, and I amhis sister Elizabeth, generally shortened to Bess. We are going withour mother and uncle, Mr. Dwight Lawrence, for whom this youngster isnamed, to India, and intend to make an extended tour. We have been onthe Continent and in the British Isles for three or four months, andhaven't lost any of our Yankee enthusiasm and curiosity yet, as yousee."

  "And we're American, too!" cried Hope.

  "And English," added Faith.

  "Why, how is that?"

  The latter explained.

  "Well, if that isn't jolly!" said Dwight. "To be sure, this steamer'sthe 'International,' and sails under both flags. I noticed our old'star-spangled' along with the Union Jack, and wondered. Do you see,Bess?"

  "Of course I see, and am delighted. I shall consider it a good omenfor our voyage."

  "Especially as she carries Faith and Hope with her," remarked thelatter, with a merry glance at her sister.

  "Certainly," returned Bess obliviously, but Dwight broke in,

  "Wait! You mean something special by that; I see it in your eyes. Letme guess again. Faith and hope--faith and hope--I once knew a girlnamed Faith--say! I'll bet a cooky those are your names. Aren't they,now?"

  "Right again!" laughed Hope, while he jumped about, clapping his handsin ecstasy.

  "Hear that, Bess Vanderhoff? Uncle always said I was a regular Yankeefor guessing, and that shows it. But those are stunning names fortwins--"

  "Dwight, Dwight! What an expression to describe those lovely words."

  "Well, it was rather off, Bess. I beg your pardon, Miss Faith andMiss--but which is which, and how will I know if you tell me? It's aregular Chinese puzzle, for you are precisely the same until you speak,and then there's a difference. For you," he pointed towards Hope,"look somehow--well, jollier, I guess it is."

  "Don't be personal, Dwight," admonished his sister.

  "But it's a personal subject, sis, how can I help it? May I make onemore try at it?"

  "As many as you like," laughed Hope.

  "Well, then, if you're named as you ought to be you are Hope, becauseyou look it, and she--"

  He was interrupted by a little cry from Faith, who had been watchingthe scenery more closely than the others. They followed her gaze andwere silenced a while by the impressive scene, for the Channel wasopening broadly before them, its cold green waves curling intofoam-tipped breakers, while the Needles, those natural turrets of thedeep, rose in stately fashion from the waters, seemingly in their verypath, as if here the bold voyager must needs be challenged beforeventuring further. The narrow Solent was passed and a wider roadwaywas to be theirs for many a day. But after a little, Dwight'sirrepressible spirits broke out afresh, and he returned to the charge,evidently determined to be at no loss when addressing these girls, whomhe secretly chose as companions for Bess and himself out of the wholepassenger list. He finished his guess concerning Hope, and once moreproved his right to American citizenship.

  "But why do I look my name?" she asked curiously.

  "Can't tell; you just do, that's all. I'm a guesser, but I can'texplain why, at all.

  "You may know me by my cat--Hafiz the poet, at your service," said hersister merrily.

  "But when you don't have the cat, Miss Faith? One of you ought to tieon a pink ribbon somewhere, and one a blue."

  "Yes, and then we'd be like the old woman with her eggs," put in Bess."It would be sink or swim--pink or blue--but which? I think I'd ratherlearn you by closer observation, and you mustn't mind if I stare a gooddeal for a time.

  "Oh, no, people always do stare," said Hope nonchalantly, which was,indeed, the truth. The sisters had become so used to this attention inpublic that they were able to appear unconscious of it always, whetherreally so or not. For, being sensible girls, they did not attributethis at all to their fair, fresh faces, but to the resemblance betweenthem, enough of a novelty in this world of diversities to be alwaysobservable.

  They were well out into the Chann
el when summoned to luncheon, and onlywaited long enough for a good look back at the beautifully woodedshores before they went below. The first meal at sea is always aninteresting one. It is a matter of great moment to many in what partof the saloon they will be assigned a place, and of course the specialhonor of sitting at the captain's table is desired by all, thoughattained by few.

  As they were descending towards the cabin, to join their father, Faith,ever thoughtful of others, said in a low voice.

  "Don't you wish we could have the Vanderhoff party at our table, Hope?"

  "True enough. It would be fine! Let's ask father."

  "But you know he leaves all that to Mr. Malcolm, and I don't believe weought to meddle."

  Mr. Malcolm was the head steward, and it was an excellent rule ofCaptain Hosmer's to interfere as little as possible with the specialprerogatives of his officers, who in turn always tried their best toplease him. Mr. Malcolm knew his duties thoroughly, and did them.

  This the girls knew, hence the disclaimer from thoughtful Faith,

  "Oh dear! It would be so pleasant. And father ought to have a sayabout his own table--"

  "But you know he's always consulted, dear, and by this time everythingis planned."

  "Well, we might be consulted, too."

  "Why, Hope! When he has planned everything to make it pleasant for us."

  Hope's pout died out into a shamefaced smile.

  "There, there! Consider it unsaid, Miss Wisdom. Guess I canappreciate the dear man, myself--and there he is looking for us now."

  Quite over her pet, she ran to meet him, and his tender smile met theirupturned faces.

  "Ah, girlies, I was just coming for you. I'll see you in to the tableand join you presently. Just now I'm busy, but Malcolm and Joey willlook after you. I didn't forget that my little girls were along whenwe fixed up the table-list, and you'll see they are not all ponderouselderly people with titles, this time. Come on!"

  The sisters exchanged glances, and Hope in a spasm of repentance,murmured, "Oh papa, you're too good to us!" which he only half caughtas Faith just then remarked,

  "But Hafiz--I'll have to--"

  "Here, Jack,"--to a passing attendant,--"take this kitten to my cabin,and see that the door is shut into the large stateroom, off. Hafiz andTexas are better apart until time has cemented their friendship," headded, with a twinkle, turning again to his daughters. "Now hurry!"and he raced them merrily down the companion-way, and through the aftersaloon, to the great apartment set out with table after table, in abewildering vista of white linen, glittering silver, and shiningcrystal.

  As they stepped to their places Hope nearly gave a hop of pleasure, foron one side were Bess and Dwight, with a tall lady whom Bess greatlyresembled, and a rather magnificent gentleman, whose whole air bespokeone used to power, to luxury, and to travel.

  The others consisted of two or three officers, an outgoing Indianofficial who wrote Sir before his name, a famous traveler, a ministerfrom America, and a Russian writer of note. The ladies were fewer,there being only three besides Mrs. Vanderhoff. One was the wife ofthe English baronet, and the other two seemed traveling together, butin what relation was not apparent. One was past middle life, andfine-looking, with snowy hair, brilliant eyes, and a polished speechand manner. The other was, as the sisters rather hastily decided, notprepossessing in appearance, having a reserved and haughty manner. Sheseldom spoke, and was either preoccupied, or indifferent.

  The captain, with a courteous general greeting, introduced hisdaughters, then seated them, one on either side of his own place, when,with a word to Joey, whose manner was eagerly attentive, he hastenedback to his post, leaving them to their own devices. Bess at oncepresented them to her mother and uncle, the latter in turn mentioningthe names of the Indian official, Sir Wilbur Lawton, his wife and thetraveler, whose famous cognomen may not be written here. Then heglanced half inquiringly at the two ladies, who were evidentlystrangers to him, when she of the white hair said gracefully,

  "And let me present to all, my friend, Lady Moreham."

  Then, as her companion did not return the favor, she added, "And I amMrs. Poinsett."

  The younger people were too well trained to monopolize conversation,but listened with pleasure to the talk between the gentlemen concerninghunting of "big game" in India, with which both the traveler and SirWilbur seemed well acquainted, Mr. Lawrence asking intelligentquestions, and the Russian whose name was almost unpronounceable,putting in a broken sentence, or two, now and then. The ladies mostlylistened, also, but occasionally the two who were companions conversedin low tones. Lady Lawton, who was extremely fleshy, devoted herselfexclusively to her luncheon.

  The twins, meanwhile, made their observations with the promptitude ofyouth. They liked Mrs. Vanderhoff, whose manner was quiet andsensible, in accord with her dress and appearance, and they alsofancied Mrs. Poinsett, but the one called Lady Moreham they decided wasdisagreeable, and too proud of her rank to be sociable. They were gladshe sat at the further end of the table, and Hope remarked, as she bentforward for the pepper-box. "There's a regular specimen of yourBritish aristocracy, Faith Hosmer. You must feel proud of it!"

  But Faith only smiled, as she murmured in return, "Judge not!" then,with her charming smile, answered Mr. Lawrence's question with a "No,sir, it is our first trip to India. We have often been to Cowes, orPlymouth, with father, but never far from English shores, except once,when we spent a year in Massachusetts, at the time he was mate of the'Glasgow.'"

  "Ah, in what part? Boston, I presume?"

  "Yes, sir, Boston, Lynn, Salem; but we lived at Lynn."

  Here Bess broke in to briefly explain the double nationality claimed bythe girls, and for a rather embarrassing minute the attention of thetable seemed concentrated upon them. Amid the fusillade of questionand comment Hope noticed Lady Moreham's eyes suddenly flash andsoften--she could almost have thought there were tears in them, indeed.But why? At any rate, she began to think there might be some redeemingtraits, even in this "specimen of British aristocracy."