Nona and Mildred were both ready. So the four girls went together into the big saloon where all the other ship’s passengers were gathering.
The fire was not supposed to be dangerous. The men were fighting it, but they must wait to find out if it could be controlled. No, no one had an idea of what had caused the explosion.
Of course, a number of the women were crying and some of the men were white as ghosts, others were laughing foolishly.
Mrs. Curtis was distinguishing herself by having an attack of hysteria in the arms of her son. Very quietly Mildred Thornton went up and took hold of the older woman’s hand.
“Let us find a seat somewhere and talk,” she said soothingly. But Mrs. Curtis did not wait to be seated.
“You see,” she sobbed, clutching Mildred’s arm, “the explosion occurred right in our corridor. I was asleep when suddenly there was a dreadful noise and my room filled with smoke. Brooks managed to get to me the next instant. No one could have felt the shock as much as I did, except Lady Dorian. Her room is across from mine and I believe she was slightly injured. Has anyone seen her?”
At this moment the second officer entered the saloon. His face was white, but his lips wore a steady, automatic smile.
“Captain Miller wishes me to inform you that there is no further danger,” he shouted. “The ‘Philadelphia’ will continue her journey to Liverpool. We have discovered the cause of the fire and the men have smothered it. The passengers will kindly return to their staterooms and breakfast will be served at as early an hour as possible.”
At this moment Barbara Meade felt a light touch on her arm. Mildred was over in a corner with Brooks Curtis and his mother; Eugenia was talking to a number of equally excited strangers. So it was Nona Davis who said:
“Don’t you think, Barbara, we might go and offer our services to Lady Dorian? If she really is hurt, as Mrs. Curtis said, perhaps we may be able to do something for her. In any case I feel we ought to show our interest. She is not popular on board ship, and even if she resents our coming I think we shall have done the kindest thing.”