Sue came up to her father and mother, carrying her doll Elizabeth, for whom she had made a new dress out of an old towel her mother had given her for this purpose. The sewing Sue did was not very good—the stitches were much too large.
“Isn’t Elizabeth’s dress nice?” asked Sue, showing her mother the new gown for the doll.
“Indeed it is a pretty dress,” replied Mrs. Brown.
“Where is Bunny?” asked Mr. Brown, for usually the little boy and his sister were together.
“Oh, Bunny didn’t want to play doll with me, so he went to get something to eat,” explained Sue. “I guess Bunny’s going to play picnic,” added Sue.
“Where would he get anything to eat on this ship?” asked Mrs. Brown. “He can’t go to the kitchen as he could if he were at home.”
“I suppose he will ask one of the dining-room or pantry stewards to get him something,” suggested Mr. Brown. “They’ll be glad to do that. But it will not be wise for Bunny to eat much now. It is too near the time for the regular meal.”
“That wouldn’t worry him,” laughed Mrs. Brown. “Bunny always has a good appetite.”
So, thinking their little boy was in the care of one of the stewards, Mr. and Mrs. Brown did not worry about him. They remained on deck for some time longer. Sue stayed with them, playing with her doll.
Then came the bugle call, which served the same purpose as a dinner bell at home. One of the sailors blew several musical notes on a horn, and this meant that the passengers, the captain, and such of the ship’s officers as were not on duty could get their meal.