ike a muffin, and patterned with the Douglas tartan and an
Etruscan border. He rather wanted to let people see it. He was no
Pilkings clerk now, but a world-galloper. With his cap clapped down on
one side and his youthful cigarette-holder cocked up on the other, and
in his buttonhole a carnation jaunty as a red pompon, with the breeze
puffing out the light silver hair about his temples and his pink cheeks
glowing in the westering sun, he promenaded round and round the
hurricane-deck and stopped to pat a whimpering child. But always he
hastened back, lest Mother get frightened or lonely. Once he imagined
that two toughs were annoying her, and he glared at them like a sparrow
robbed of a crumb.

As he escorted her into the dining-saloon Father's back was straight,
his chin very high. He was so prosperous of aspect, so generous and
proudly affectionate, that people turned to look. It was obvious that if
he had anything to do with the shoe business, he must be a manufacturer
in a large way, with profit-sharing and model cottages.

The sun went down; Long Island Sound was shot with red gold as little
waves reached up hands at the wonder of light. Father and Mother gazed
and ate chocolate ice-cream and large quantities of cake, with the naive
relish of people who usually dine at home.

They sat on deck till Mother yawned and nodded and at last said the
"Wel-l--" which always means, "Let's go to bed." Father had so inspired
her with faith in the comparative safety of their wild voyaging that
she was no longer afraid, but just sleepy. She nestled in her chair and
smiled shamefacedly and said, "It's only half-past nine, but somehow--".
In her drowsiness the wrinkles smoothed away from round her eyes and
left her face like that of a plump, tired, happy little girl.

When they were at home Father's and Mother's garments had a way of
getting so familiarly mixed that even Mother could scarcely keep their
bureau drawers separate. But when they traveled they were aristocrats,
and they had entirely separate suit-cases and berths. From the pompous
manner in which Father unpacked his bag you would have been utterly
beguiled, and have supposed him to be one of those high persons who have
whole suites to themselves and see their consorts only at state
banquets, when there are celery and olives, and the squire invited to
dinner. There was nothing these partners in life more enjoyed than the
one night's pretense that they were aloof. But