R.M.S. Utopia
'There,' said Challis, 'that is exactly the middle of the sheet, mother. Just as many again, and we're all kissing each other and going mad.'
She held a piece of note-paper in her hand, and had just carefully marked out with a red pencil one more of the thirty-three days of their voyaging.
'That leaves just sixteen,' said Mrs. Cameron.
'And a half,' said Challis, 'and Mr. Brooks told me the captain says we may be two whole days late, so we'll count seventeen, darling, and not disappoint ourselves.'
'There is the captain now, talking to Mrs. Macgregor and Lady Millbourne,' said Mrs. Cameron. 'Run and ask him, dear, if it is true. I can't bear the thought.'
'Oh, mother,' said the little girl, and hung back, looking with nervous eyes at the group.
'Girlie, you must get over this silly shyness,' said Mrs. Cameron. 'I think you get worse every day, instead of better. Run along at once.'
The girl rose and walked slowly down the long deck. Some children rushed to her.
'Come and play, come and play,' they said. 'It's rounders, and we want another on our side.'