to ask them too
much about what they would like. It is better to consider what we think
they would like, and bring it to them, without saying any thing about it
beforehand."

So saying, Maria rang the saloon bell. The chambermaid came in answer to
the summons. Maria then sent the chambermaid to the dining saloon to
bring a bowl of chicken broth to her. The chambermaid went out, and
presently returned, bringing the broth, just as the gong was sounding
for dinner. Maria carried the broth to Rollo.

When she offered it to him, Rollo thought at first that he should not be
able to take but two or three spoonfuls of it, but on tasting it he
found that he liked it very much. He ate it all, and, as he lay down
again upon his sofa, he said that he felt a great deal better.

Maria then told him that he might lie still there as long as he pleased;
adding, that she and Jennie were going to dinner. Maria and Jennie then
went away, leaving Rollo alone again.

Rollo felt so much better for the broth that he had taken, that pretty
soon he rose from his recumbent position, and began to sit up.
Presently he said to himself, "How much better I do feel. I believe I
will go and get some dinner."

So he rose from the sofa, and began to stagger along toward the door of
the saloon. He found, however, that after all he felt somewhat giddy and
light headed; and he concluded, therefore, that, instead of going to
dinner, he would go up on deck and see how the wind was. He accordingly
turned to the staircase which led up to the main deck, and steadying
himself by the hand rail as he ascended the steps, he went up.

At the head of the stairs was a passage way, and at the end of the
passage way there was a space upon the deck, which was half enclosed; it
being shut in by an awning on the windy side, and open on the other.
This place was often resorted to by passengers who were sick, and who
wished for more fresh air than they could have below. There was a row of
settees on one side of this space, and, at the time that Rollo came up
there, there was a lady lying on one of these settees, apparently in a
very forlorn condition. She looked very pale, and her eyes were shut.
She was lying upon a mattress, which had been put upon the settee for
her, and was covered up with blankets and shawls.

A gentleman, who seemed to be her husband, was standing before her,
attempting to persuade her to get up. He did this, however, as Rollo
thought, in rather