which Rollo, in a very clear and lucid manner, explained all the
circumstances of the case to her. He told her about his father being
sick in England, and about his having sent for him and Jane to go to
England and meet him there. He also explained what Mr. George's plan had
been for providing them with a protector on the voyage, and how it had
been defeated by the accident of the loss of the trunk. He also told her
how narrowly they had escaped having the trunk itself left behind. He
ended by saying that there were several of his father's friends on
board, only he did not know of any way by which he could find out who
they were.

"Never mind that," said Maria. "I will take care of you. You need not
be at all afraid; you will get along very well. Have you got any state
room?"

"No," said Rollo.

"Well, I will go and find the chambermaid, and she will get you one.
Then we will have your trunk sent to it, and you will feel quite at home
there."

So Maria went away, and presently returned with one of the chambermaids.

When the chambermaid learned that there were two children on board
without any one to take care of them, she was very much interested in
their case. Rollo heard her say to Maria, as they came up together
toward the sofa where the children were sitting,--

"O, yes, I will find them a state room, if they have not got one
already. Children," she added, when she came near, "are you sure you
have not got any state room?"

"Yes," said Rollo. "I did not know where the captain's office was."

"O, you don't go to the captain's office," said the chambermaid. "They
pay for the passage and get the tickets in Wall Street."

"Perhaps this is it, then," said Rollo. And so saying, he took out his
wallet, and there, from one of the inner compartments, where his uncle
George had placed it away very carefully, he produced a paper. The
chambermaid opened it, saying, "Yes, this is all right. Berths sixteen
and eighteen. Come with me, and I'll show you where they are."

So the two children, accompanied by Maria, followed the chambermaid, who
led the way across the cabin, and there, entering a passage way, she
opened a door, by means of a beautiful porcelain knob which was upon it.
They all went in. They found themselves in a small room, no bigger than
a large closet, but they saw at a glance that it was very beautifully
finished and furnished. On the front side was a round window like those
they had seen in the dinin