and he seemed duly sensible of the privilege accorded him.
The following morning, to my surprise, after taking a few turns round the deck with her attentive companion, Mrs. Blair came to a halt by my chair.
"Feeling better this morning?"
I thanked her, and said I felt slightly more like a human being.
"You did look ill yesterday. Colonel Race and I decided that we should have the excitement of a funeral at sea—but you've disappointed us."
I laughed.
"Being up in the air has done me good."
"Nothing like fresh air," said Colonel Race, smiling.
"Being shut up in those stuffy cabins would kill any one," declared Mrs. Blair, dropping into a seat by my side and dismissing her companion with a little nod. "You've got an outside one, I hope?"
I shook my head.
"My dear girl! Why don't you change? There's plenty of room. A lot of people got off at Madeira, and the boat's very empty. Talk to the purser about it. He's a nice little boy—he changed me into a beautiful cabin because I didn't care for the one I'd got. You talk to him at lunch-time when you go down."
I shuddered.
"I couldn't move."
"Don't be silly. Come and take a walk now with me."
She dimpled at me encouragingly. I felt very weak on my legs at first, but as we walked briskly up and down I began to feel a brighter and better being.
After a turn or two, Colonel Race joined us again.
"You can see the Grand Peak of Tenerife from the other side."
"Can we? Can I get a photograph of it, do you think?"
