's
quarters."

We descended from the vestibule by way of a staircase at the back of the
main companion, and presently entered the wardroom, which adjoined the
dining-room, but was only about half its size. This was the living-room
of the executive officers of the ship, and was a very fine, comfortable
room, although, of course, its fittings and furnishings were much less
sumptuous than those belonging exclusively to the owner.

On the side of the ship opposite the wardroom, and with a good wide
passage between the two, was the block of officers' cabins, the comfort
and convenience of which left nothing to be desired. Next came the
petty officers' berthage, of which the same may be said, although, as
was to be expected, the space here was rather more restricted, and the
fittings somewhat plainer than in those of the other officers.

Next came the kitchen--it would be an outrage to dub such a place a
"galley"--and forward of it again came the men's quarters, a great, airy
place, well-lighted by scuttles in the ship's sides, with sleeping
accommodation for eighty men. This consisted of two tiers of hammocks,
forty hammocks on either side of the room, their head-clews suspended
from hooks bolted to the sides of the ship; while the foot-clews were
secured to steel stanchions hinged to the deck above, and so arranged
that they could be triced up out of the way when required, leaving ample
room for the men's mess tables.

I very willingly and very fully expressed my admiration for everything
shown me, not only because all was well worthy of admiration, but also
because I saw that it gratified my hostess, who explained to me that she
had planned everything herself.

At length my inspection of the beautiful and wonderful ship came to an
end. As we ascended to the deck by way of the fore-hatch ladder my
hostess remarked:

"There! I guess that's all there is to show. And,"--glancing at an
elegant little watch which she wore attached to a bracelet--"my stars,
if it ain't just five o'clock! I want my tea. Do you drink tea, young
man?"

"I should really enjoy a cup of tea, madam, if you would be so kind as
to offer me one," I said.

"Are you a teetotaller, then?" the lady asked.

"Well, no; hardly that," I replied. "That is to say, I have never
formally forsworn intoxicants; but I very rarely take them--never,
indeed, I may say, except when I have been exposed for several hours to
extreme cold, or have been wet t