less. Some people are ill every time rough
weather comes along, however long the voyage. I suppose you don't know
yet whether you are a good sailor or not?"

Marion shook her head. "We have been at the seaside almost every year,
but we have never gone out in boats much there. Papa was always too busy
to go, and I don't think he likes it. Mother gets a bad headache, even
if she isn't ill. So I very seldom went out, and never when it was the
least rough."

Mr. Atherton's predictions turned out well founded. The wind got up
during the night and was blowing freshly in the morning, and only two or
three of the lady passengers made their appearance at breakfast; and
several of the gentlemen were also absent. Wilfrid, to his great
satisfaction, felt so far no symptoms whatever of impending illness. The
two Allens were obliged to keep on deck during the meal, being unable to
stand the motion below; but they were well enough to enjoy the cup of
tea and plate of cold meat Wilfrid carried up to them. An hour or two
later they went below. The wind was rising and the sea hourly getting
up. Marion came up after breakfast, and for some time afterwards walked
up and down on the deck with Wilfrid enjoying the brisk air, and
considering it great fun to try to walk straight up and down the swaying
deck. Presently, however, her laugh became subdued and her cheeks lost
their colour.

"I am afraid I am going to be ill, Wilfrid; but I shall stay on deck if
I can. Both the Mitfords are ill, I am sure, for neither of them got up,
though they declared that they felt nothing the matter with them. I have
made up my mind to stay on deck as long as I possibly can."

"That is the best way," Mr. Atherton said as he joined them in their
walk, and caught the last sentence. "There is nothing like keeping up as
long as possible; because if you do so it will sometimes pass off after
a short time, whereas if you give up and take to your berth it is sure
to run its course, which is longer or shorter according to
circumstances--sometimes two days and sometimes five; but I should say
that people who are what you may call fair sailors generally get over it
in two days, unless the weather is very bad. So fight against it as long
as you can, and when you cannot bear it any longer I will wrap you up in
rugs, and you shall have my great chair to curl up in close by the lee
bulwark. But determination goes a long way, and you may get over it yet.
You take my arm