“I’m a governess,” she said, in an unexpectedly loud and severe tone. “The family I was coming with somehow missed the ship, and—”
“What?” he cried. “A governess! But wait—look here!”
“Yes, I am!” said she. “I am!”
“Yes, but look here! I was at the gangway, you know, and just before we sailed a young chap came dashing up and gave me a purse—a long brown purse—”
“My purse!”
“‘It’s for Miss—can’t remember the name,’ he said. ‘It’s for Miss What’s-Her-Name, the governess,’ and then he dashed off again.”
“That’s me!” cried Miss Smith, pardonably ungrammatical in her emotion.
“Look here! I’m most awfully sorry!” said the young officer earnestly. “It’s all my fault. I turned it over to the purser and told him that Miss What’s-Her-Name would probably come and ask for it. You see, I never thought you could be a governess, you know. I am sorry!”
“But is it there? Can I get it?”
“Rather!” said he. “Purser’s on board now, getting ready to go ashore. I’ll fetch him.”