"Tickets, Miss, tickets," said the man, as they were hastening past to join their friends. Marion gave up hers, but Kate could only repeat, "What shall I do, what shall I do!"
"Have you had a purse given to you that was found on board the boat?" asked Marion.
The man laughed at the question. "I suppose you have lost one," he said.
"Yes, and my steamboat ticket was in it. Did anyone give it to you?" asked Kate anxiously.
"Oh, no! my dear, I've seen no purse. You must pay again, that's all I can say."
"But how can I pay, all my money was in my purse," sobbed Kate.
"What is it, what's the row?" asked one of the young men, who had come back for them.
"This young lady's lost her purse, that's all," said the man. "Are you one of her friends?" he suddenly added.
"Yes, I am!" said the young man.
"Ah, well then, the matter can soon be settled. You see her ticket was in the purse, and we can't be expected to lose that."