advantage of the general hilarity to try to persuade her aunt to come on deck. She finished her argument:
"And the Captain is such a nice man. He's just a wee bit too grave. I think he must be a widower." Aunt Judy made no immediate reply; but after some more conversation she said to the stewardess:
"I think I will get up Mrs. O'Brien. Perhaps a chair on deck in the sunshine will be better for me than staying down here. And, after all, if I have to die it will be better to die in the open than in a bed the size of a coffin!"
When Joy rejoined her father in the Chart-room she said to the Captain:
"That stewardess of yours is a dear!" He warmly acquiesced:
"She is really a most capable person; and all the ladies whom she attends grow to be quite fond of her. She is always kind and cheery and hearty and makes them forget that they are ill or afraid. When I took command of the Cryptic I asked the company to let her come with me."
"And quite right too, Captain. That brogue of hers is quite wonderful! "
"It is indeed. But, my dear young lady, its very perfection makes me doubt it. It is so thick and strong and ready, and the way she twists words into its strength and makes new ones to suit it give me an idea at times that it is partly put on. I sometimes think it is impossible that any one can be so absolutely and imperatively Irish as she is. However, it serves her in good stead; she can say, without offence, whatever she chooses in her own way to any one. She is a really clever woman and a kind one; and I have the greatest respect for her."
When Aunt Judy was left alone with the stewardess, she asked:
"Who is Lord Athlyne?—What kind of man is he? Where does he live?"
"Where does he live?—why everywhere! In Athlyne
