“Is the water here hot?” Hildegarde asked, bewildered.
The woman didn’t trouble to answer.
Hildegarde was investigating. “Why, there’s no water at all!”
“No.”
After more looking about, “Have you discovered where the bell is?”
The woman lifted sleepless eyes and gave her an odd look. “I don’t expect bells on this ship.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.” Hildegarde put on her dressing-gown, took the tin ewer and sallied forth. After a variety of adventures she came back. The woman lifted her face out of the pillow when she heard the sound of water splashing into the tin basin. “Oh, they got it for you.”
“No, I got it for myself. Come and hold your arm over, won’t you? I’ll bathe it.”
A little surprised—a little doubtful, the woman got up, saying, “Thank you.” What a nice voice said it! But this fine-skinned, delicate-faced traveler was disposed to be reserved. Hildegarde could feel that for some reason she was suspicious of such ready friendliness.
“It’s most dreadfully bruised. How did you do it?”