"Do? There is nothing to be done. We must sail for it. I am dreadfully sorry."
"It is not your fault," said Claudius.
"Well, I suppose not. It happens even to big steamers."
"And shall we sail all the way to New York?" asked his sister, who was completely reassured. "I think it will be lovely." Miss Skeat also thought sailing much more poetic than steaming.
"I think we must hold a council of war," said the master. "Let us put it to the vote. Shall we make for Bermuda, which is actually nearer, but which is four or five days' from New York, or shall we go straight and take our chance of a fair wind?"
"If you are equally willing to do both, why not let the ladies decide?" suggested Barker.
"Oh no," broke in the Countess, "it will be much more amusing to vote. We will write on slips of paper and put them in a bag."
"As there are five of you I will not vote," said the Duke, "for we might be three on a side, you know."
So they voted, and there were three votes for New York and two for Bermuda.
"New York has it," said the Duke, who counted, "and I am glad, on the whole, for it is Sturleson's advice." Barker had voted for New York, and he wondered who the two could have been who wanted to go to Bermuda. Probably Miss Skeat and Lady Victoria. Had the Countess suspected that those two would choose the longer journey and out-vote her, if the decision were left to the ladies?