"You seem young to travel alone. Perhaps, however, you have company?"

"No, sir," Robert answered. "I am traveling alone."

There was a look of satisfaction on the man's face, which Robert did not
see. Even if he had he would not have known how to interpret it.

"It is pleasant to go to New York by boat," said the stranger. "I prefer
it to the cars; that is, when I can get a stateroom. Did you secure
one?"

"Yes, sir."

"You are more fortunate than I. I found they had all been taken. I would
not care so much if I were not suffering from fever and ague."

"I suppose you have a berth?" said Robert.

"Yes, but the berths are exposed to draughts and are not as desirable as
staterooms."

Robert did not know that, so far from this being the case, the great
fault of the ordinary berths was a lack of air.

"I suppose your stateroom contains two berths?" said the stranger.

"Yes, I believe so."

"I may be taking a liberty, but I have a proposal to make. If you will
allow me to occupy one of them I will pay half the cost of your room. It
would oblige me very much, but I would not ask if I were not sick."

Robert did not entirely like this proposal. He preferred to be alone.
Still he was naturally obliging, and he hardly knew how to refuse this
favor to a sick man.

"I see you hesitate," said the stranger. "Pray think no more of my
request. I would not mind paying the entire cost of the room, if you
will take me in. It cost you a dollar, did it not?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then," said the man, drawing a dollar bill from his pocketbook, "allow
me to pay for it and share it with you."

"I ought not to be selfish," thought Robert. "I would rather be alone,
but if this man is sick I think I will let him come in with me."

He so expressed himself, and the other thanked him warmly and pressed
the dollar upon him.

"No," said Robert, "I can't take so much. You may pay for your
share--fifty cents."

"You are very kind," murmured the other.

And, replacing the bill in his pocketbook, he took out a half dollar and
tendered it to our hero.

Half an hour later both repaired to stateroom No. 56.

As they entered the room the stranger glanced at the two berths and said:

"It is only fair that you should occupy the best berth."

"Which is the best berth?" asked Robert.

"The lower one is generally so considered," said the other. "It is a
little wider and it is less trouble to get into it. I will take the
upper one."