THROUGH SHROUDING MISTS
To the girls, the week that followed seemed like some vivid, disjointed nightmare. They were hurried from Paris to London and from London to Liverpool, along with crowds of worried, anxious Americans, who, like themselves, were fleeing from the unexpected cataclysm.
After much difficulty, Mr. Payton finally succeeded in securing two staterooms, second cabin, while Jack and his Uncle were lucky enough to get one not very far removed from our party.
“But how are we going to manage with only two cabins for six of us; little ones at that, from your account?” Mrs. Payton protested, in dismay. “Why, the three girls and I will have to occupy one between us!”
“Can’t be helped,” replied Mr. Payton, and then added, with intense earnestness, “I don’t believe that one of you realize yet the magnitude of this tragedy that menaces Europe. If you did, you would thank your lucky stars every minute of the day that you have the chance to leave England for our own blessed country, no matter what the cost or inconvenience. Why, within a month this whole continent will be involved in war. There are people now besieging the booking offices by the hundreds who would be glad and thankful to find room in the steerage. If we had not started when we did, we would be among them.”
Lucile shivered. “Oh, Dad, it does make the thought of home seem good,” she said.
Their ship was to sail at nine o’clock the following morning, and long before the appointed time the girls were up and ready for the voyage.
“What a difference!” mused Lucile, looking wistfully out upon a dreary, leaden prospect. “Even the weather seems to be in sympathy with the country’s trouble.” 184
Jessie adjusted her hat soberly and thoughtfully before she spoke. “Yes,” she said, at last, “one day it’s all sunshine and happiness, and the next—oh, girls, I’m absolutely miserable!”
“What good does that do?” queried Evelyn, snapping her bag shut with an air of finality. “Besides, you’re only breaking one of the camp-fire’s strictest laws, you know.”