Part 85 (1/2)
”What will you take with you, Mrs. c.o.x?” said Bertram, as he stood up in the boat with the baby on one arm, while with the other he handed the lady towards the s.h.i.+p's ladder.
”A good ducking,” said Mrs. c.o.x, with a cheery laugh, as at the moment a das.h.i.+ng wave covered them with its spray. ”And I've got it too, with a vengeance. Ha! ha! Take care of the baby, whatever you do; and if she falls over, mind you go after her.” And with another little peal of silver ringing laughter, she tripped up the side of the s.h.i.+p, and Bertram, with the baby, followed after her.
”She is such a giddy thing,” said Mrs. Price, turning her soft eyes on poor Arthur Wilkinson. ”Oh, laws! I know I shall be drowned. Do hold me.” And Arthur Wilkinson did hold her, and nearly carried her up into the s.h.i.+p. As he did so, his mind would fly off to Adela Gauntlet; but his arms and legs were not the less at the service of Mrs. Price.
”And now look after the places,” said Mrs. c.o.x; ”you haven't a moment to lose. And look here, Mr. Bertram, mind, I won't sit next to Major Biffin. And, for heaven's sake, don't let us be near that fellow M'Gramm.” And so Bertram descended into the _salon_ to place their cards in the places at which they were to sit for dinner. ”Two and two; opposite to each other,” sang out Mrs. c.o.x, as he went. There was a sweetness in her voice, a low, mellow cheeriness in her tone, which, combined with her beauty, went far to atone for the nature of what she said; and Bertram not unwillingly obeyed her behests.
”Oh, my blessed baby!” said Mrs. Price, as the nurse handed her the child--which, however, she immediately handed back. ”How can I thank you enough, Mr. Wilkinson? What should we have done without you? I wonder whether it's near tiffin. I am so faint.”
”Shall I fetch you anything?” said he.
”If you could get me a gla.s.s of porter. But I don't think they'll give it you. They are so uncivil!”
Arthur went for the beer; but went in vain. The steward said that lunch would be ready at twelve o'clock.
”They are such brutes!” said Mrs. Price. ”Well, I suppose I must wait.” And she again turned her eyes upon Arthur, and he again thought of Adela Gauntlet.
And then there was the ordinary confusion of a starting s.h.i.+p. Men and women were hurrying about after their luggage, asking all manner of unreasonable questions. Ladies were complaining of their berths, and servants asking where on _h_earth they were to sleep. Gentlemen were swearing that they had been shamefully doubled up--that is, made to lie with two or three men in the same cabin; and friends were contriving to get commodious seats for dinner. The officers of the s.h.i.+p were all busy, treating with apparent indifference the thousand questions that were asked them on every side; and all was bustle, confusion, hurry, and noise.
And then they were off. The pistons of the engine moved slowly up and down, the huge cranks revolved, and the waters under the bow rippled and gave way. They were off, and the business of the voyage commenced. The younger people prepared for their flirtations, the mothers unpacked their children's clothes, and the elderly gentlemen lighted their cigars.
”What very queer women they are!” said Arthur, walking the deck with his cousin.
”But very pretty, and very agreeable. I like them both.”
”Don't you think them too free and easy?”
”Ah, you must not judge of them by women who have lived in England, who have always had the comfort of well-arranged homes. They have been knocked about, ill used, and forced to bear hards.h.i.+ps as men bear them; but still there is about them so much that is charming.
They are so frank!”
”Yes, very frank,” said Arthur.
”It is well to see the world on all sides,” said George. ”For myself, I think that we are lucky to have come across them--that is, if Major Biffin does not cut my throat.”
”I hope Captain M'Gramm won't cut mine. He looked as though he would.”
”Did you ever see such an a.s.s as that Biffin? I don't wonder that she has become sick of him; and then he has behaved so very badly to her.
I really do pity her. She has told me all about it.”
”And so has Mrs. Price told me all about Captain M'Gramm.”
”Has she? Well! It seems that he, Biffin, has taken advantage of her frank, easy manner, and talked of her to every man in the s.h.i.+p. I think she has been quite right to cut him.” And so they discussed the two ladies.
And at last Mrs. Price got her porter, and Mrs. c.o.x got her pale ale.
”I do like pale ale,” said she; ”I suppose it's vulgar, but I can't help that. What amuses me is, that so many ladies drink it who are quite ashamed to say they like it.”
”They take it for their health's sake,” said Bertram.
”Oh, yes; of course they do. Mrs. Bangster takes her half-pint of brandy every night for her health's sake, no doubt. Would you believe it, Mr. Bertram, the doctor absolutely had to take her out of the saloon one night in the 'Lah.o.r.e'? Didn't he, Mrs. Price?”