“C. Q.”; or, In the Wireless House
gloomily. “We have n’t had a storm and nobody has even had the relief of being seasick—I mean,—that is to say,—the monotony has not even been interrupted to that extent.”
“Hear! Hear!” exclaimed Ashurst. “I don’t want my monotony interrupted that way. Speaking or being seasick, there ’s an old woman at my table that was jolly well scared she was going to give up the first day. She asked our steward what to do. He said—Ha! Ha!—what d’ you suppose?—’So long as you don’t float your food, Madam, you ’ll be all right!’ He meant, you know, she should n’t drink too much. He ’s a card, that fellow!”
“Ashurst, you’re disgusting!” drawled Lily. “I ’m not interested in seasick stories. It ’s almost enough to make one ill just to hear you talk. I think I ’ll go out and stroll ’round a bit.”
“Shall I come with you?” asked Ashurst plaintively.
“No, thanks!” she retorted. “I want to invite my soul! See you all later.”
She got up and crossed the deck to her stateroom, where Fantine had drawn the easy chair close to the door, and rather disgustedly she188
