a's a Catholic but it's in her Bible the same as
in any: 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.'" The
last word was but a breath on her quivering lip. Facing the actor she
stood and waited. Joy was getting Basile away.

"It is moved by the last speaker," said the player, "and seconded
by"--he glanced inquiringly about--"by several--that we make an
immediate contribution for the benefit of our deck passengers, who are
in dire need, and that----"

"That we make it a big one!" repeated Ramsey.

"All in favor--" he said. "Unanimous. I will ask Mr. Courteney and Miss
Hayle to take up the collection."

* * * * *

The dispersal of the meeting found the lady of Milliken's Bend with the
judge's sister. The judge, joining them, reported that the laughing
Ramsey's collection was double that of the solemn Hugh. The sister's
eyes snapped as she put in: "She made me double my contribution." Ramsey
passed at a distance. "It's a shame to keep short dresses on a girl of
that age and of her--her----"

"Spontaneity?" asked the judge. "I like spontaneity, even exuberance, at
times."

"Well, I don't," said the sister.

"No," murmured the judge. These two, who were to get off at Natchez,
were just beginning to be enjoyed--as types. The sister was one who had
all her life complained of "enlargement of the spleen" and even oftener
of a "bitter mouth." On which the judge's only comment was: "Hmm!" Just
now, as to Ramsey, he grew daring.

"Her dress," he said, "is longer than it was yesterday."

"It's a mile too short."

"As much as that?"

"I wish you were not going to leave us so soon," said the lady of the
Bends, and then bravely added, of Ramsey: "Her dresses are short by her
own choice, old Joy says."

"Shouldn't doubt it a moment."

"Yes, she keeps them short to keep her mother young. I think that's
right sweet of her, don't you?"

"No," replied the sister, and went to lock her trunks.

XXVII

PILOTS' EYES

Once more the hurricane deck. What space! What freedom! Again from the
airy, sun-beaten roof, that felt as thin underfoot as the levelled wing
of an eagle, the eye dropped far below to where the tawny waters glided
to meet the cleaving prow or foamed away from the smiting wheels. Again
the dazzled vision rose into the infinite blue beyond clouds and sun, or
rested on the green fringes of half-drowned shores forever passing in
slow recessional.

Four in