To my surprise the doctor started visibly, and stared at me.
"What is the matter?" I asked.
"Oh—nothing," he answered; "only everybody has complained of that state-room for the last three trips."
"I shall complain, too," I said. "It has certainly not been properly aired. It is a shame!"
"I don't believe it can be helped," answered the doctor. "I believe there is something—well, it is not my business to frighten passengers."
"You need not be afraid of frightening me," I replied. "I can stand any amount of damp. If I should get a bad cold, I will come to you."
I offered the doctor a cigar, which he took and examined very critically.
"It is not so much the damp," he remarked. "However, I dare say you will get on very well. Have you a room-mate?"
"Yes; a deuce of a fellow, who bolts out in the middle of the night, and leaves the door open."