“Hold on a minute; there it is!” And as the door swung open, they tumbled rather than walked into the room.
“Oh, bother! Where did I put my comb?” moaned Evelyn, searching wildly under the dresser for the missing article. “You might know it would disappear just when I haven’t any time to look for it. Are you sure you’re not sitting on it, Lucy?”
“Of course not,” denied Lucile; “but if you don’t get off my suitcase this minute, Jessie Sanderson, I’ll know the reason why.”
“Here’s your comb, Evelyn! Catch!” said Jessie, throwing the missing article toward her friend. “If you would only keep it over on your side instead——”
“Oh, if you talk so much you will never be ready, Jessie! Do hurry!” And so on in this fashion until, finally, the last thing was ready and they tumbled up on deck again, only to be swallowed up by a jostling, gesticulating throng intent, apparently, on getting nowhere in particular, and doing it, withal, with a perseverance that was truly admirable.
“Hello!” said Phil, elbowing his way through the crowd. “We dock in ten minutes. Just look at the harbor now;” and he was off again. 107
With difficulty they made their way to the rail and stood gazing at the scene with wondering eyes and parted lips. Craft of all sizes and descriptions plowed and snorted through the ruffled water, and everywhere was life and bustle and activity. And further back, past the lines of docks and warehouses, the girls could discern the spires and steeples of—England!
“Well,” came Mr. Payton’s gruff, hearty voice from just behind them, “how do you like your first glimpse of the Old World, eh? It won’t be any time at all before you set foot upon it.”
“Oh, Daddy, isn’t it magnificent?” said Lucile, drawing a long breath. “It all looks just exactly the way I dreamed it would, though. Oh, I can’t wait!” and she leaned far over the rail, as if by that means to bring it so much the nearer.
Her father’s strong hand drew her back to safety, and he said, reprovingly, “Don’t do that again, Lucy. Accidents will happen, you know.”