At twelve o’clock on this day, the thermometer stood at 62.° The ladies had scarcely appeared; they generally suffer more than gentlemen.
It was nearly twelve at night when we entered our cabin to go to bed. The occupant of the second berth was invisible, but not asleep; and he asked whether we objected to have the cabin-door open. We were only too glad to oblige him, and with the bull’s-eye window open also, we had an agreeable atmosphere.
His mind was apparently still dwelling upon the gipsies. An interrogating voice issued from the lower berth, as we were preparing to go to bed.
“I suppose you have been writing your diary?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I suppose you will write a book? I will take two copies. Have you a bed or a mattrass in your tent?”
“No!”
“That would not do for me. I should have an air bed to keep you off the ground. You will probably stay a day or two at Christiania? I suppose the gipsy girl will cook for you? She will suffer, and be ill, won’t she? You will have much trouble with her.”
We informed him she had more spirit, and was quite as strong as her brothers.
Our fellow-passenger again continued, “Where did you engage them?”