"'S perfe'ly old rubber mattin'," she uttered through the fabric, and started toward the doorway. Bean observed that incoming diners anxiously made way for her. He followed swiftly and overtook the flapper at her door.
"Maybe if you'd try a little—" he began.
"Please go away," pleaded the flapper.
Bean returned to the ham and cabbage.
"Ought to go into the silence," he reflected. "'S all she needs. Fixed me all right."
After his hearty luncheon he ventured on deck. It was undeniably rougher, but he felt no fear. The breeze being cold, he went below for his overcoat.
Watkins of Hartford—or Adams, as he persisted in calling himself—reclined in his berth, his unlocked treasures carelessly scattered about him.
"Hold fast to the all good," counselled Bean revengefully.
"Uh—hah!" said Watkins or Adams, not doing so.
Bean fled. Everybody was getting it. The little old steamer was becoming nothing but a plague-ship.