you, Christine. You must let me help you, exactly as if I
were your brother, for no brother could want to help you more. I really
think I forgot I wasn't when I called you by your name just now. But you
didn't mind it, did you?"

"Oh, no," she said simply. "But where did you come from?" she asked, as
if the question had just occurred to her.

"Let us say from the skies," he answered, smiling. "I think my good
angel must have sent me to take care of you. Sit down, if you will hold
the baby. Let me make you more comfortable."

He went and brought a large and easy chair from some unknown quarter
and made her sit in it. Then, saying he would be back presently, he
walked away. Before he returned the stewardess appeared, smiling and
obsequious, making a profuse offer of her services to hold the baby, or
to do anything desired of her. She brought a comfortable hassock, which
she placed under Christine's feet, and only the latter's determination
prevented her from taking possession of the baby. She told her exactly
where she was to be found in case she should be wanted, and ended by
presenting her with a key which, she told her, would open a stateroom at
the head of the stairs. As the woman walked away Noel returned.
Christine told him how kind the stewardess had been, and said that she
had never known there were any staterooms on board, this being an
excursion boat.

"Oh, there are generally two or three," said Noel carelessly, "for the
people to go to when they want to rest. If you'd like to, we'll go now
and inspect."

Evidently the prospect pleased her, so they went together, but she
refused to allow him to carry the baby, or even to send for the woman.
When they opened the door everything was clean and fresh, as if just
prepared for them. Christine looked about her with an air of relief that
it rejoiced him to see. He told her to get a little rest, if she could,
and that he would stroll about for a while and come back for her. She
went in and closed the door and he turned away. In a few minutes the
stewardess knocked, to offer her services, and Christine, as she
accepted them, felt a sudden change as to her whole surrounding
atmosphere.

Noel, meanwhile, had gone up on deck, and was walking about and looking
around him curiously. He was certainly out of his element, but his
habits of life had been such as to make him feel at home almost
anywhere. What he rebelled at was the thought of Christine being in this
place.