“Say, it isn’t time to go to bed yet, is it?” questioned Freddie anxiously.
“Of course not!” answered his twin. “It’s only about the middle of the afternoon, isn’t it, Mother?”
“Just about,” answered Mrs. Bobbsey.
In the meanwhile the others, who were still on deck, were having a decidedly lively time of it.
“Come on, Nan and Bert!” called Mr. Bobbsey, to the older twins. “Better get below while you have the chance. It’s getting too rough for children up here.”
“Are you coming too, Daddy?” asked Nan.
“Yes, I’ll go down with you. In fact, I think every one is going below except the sailors.”
This was so, for the mate was going about telling the passengers still on deck that it would be best for them to get to the shelter of the cabins and staterooms.
Nan and Bert started to walk across the deck, and when they were almost at the stairs, or the “companionway” as it is called, that led to their rooms, the ship gave a lurch and roll, and Bert lost his balance.
“Oh! Oh!” he cried, as he found himself sliding across the deck, which was tilted up almost like an old-fashioned cellar door, and Bert was rolling down it. “Oh, catch me, Dad!”