ll there's allers a way.' An' he burst out into such a loud roaring
laugh that it made me feel quite ashamed. Arter he had had his fun and
wiped his eye--he has but one, you knows, Marm--he cries out, 'Hout!
lass, let her jest make a flight of steps, by pulling out the drawers
one above another for a little way. They answer the purpose of stairs,
and if she's in downright earnest, she'll soon learn how to get in.'"

Flora was highly delighted with the result of Hannah's message. She
immediately attempted the method proposed by the rough sailor, and after
a trial or two, became quite expert in rolling in and out of the berth.

She now received a summons from the steward that "tea was ready."

"That's good news," said Hannah; "I feel quite raversome with hunger,
and if I don't lay in a good stock to-night I shall feel bad enough
to-morrow with the orrid sickness. The moment the ship begins to heave,
I shall be heaving too."

"Say nothing about it, Hannah,--enjoy yourself while you can."

"There's company in the cabin, Marm,--not 'zactly ladies, but kind of
ladies, such as Misses Waddel would call _decent_ folk. One of them was
sitting upon the Capting's knee when I went in, and drinking punch with
him out of the same glass."

"Very _decent_ ladies, truly," said Flora, doubtful whether to make one
of such a refined party. Just as she had determined to remain where she
was for the night, Lyndsay tapped at the door, and she called him in to
hold a consultation.

"Come away," said he, laughing, "it is only the Captain's wife, and the
mate's, with two of their sisters. Nice good-tempered women, who will
behave themselves with due decorum. Old Boreas will be quite hurt, if
you refuse to come out of your den, and play the amiable to his woman
folk."

Flora no longer hesitated. She emerged from her hiding-place into the
cabin, which now presented a very different appearance to what it had
done some hours before. All the confusion of trunks and packages that
had filled up the small available space had been removed, and it looked
as neat and comfortable as such a confined crib could possibly look
under the most favourable circumstances.

The company, consisting of four smartly-dressed young women, were ranged
along the bench opposite the door from which Flora made her debut.
They regarded her with a nervous, awkward agitation, as they rose
simultaneously and dropped as low a courtesy as the narrow space between
the bench