“Alive or dead?” asked a laughing voice.
Nina looked up, and saw standing above her a sprightly, laughing boy.
“Alive,” she said; “it has taken to itself wings and flown away. It was in mortal terror of serving for my supper.”
“It went down that alley-way, didn’t it?” he asked.
“Yes, please ask that steward to go after it. And now I must go for another.”
“May I have the pleasure of carrying that plate for you?” asked her new friend, with sedate politeness.
She put it in his outstretched hand, and together they wended their way toward the pantry.
“Another chicken, please,” said Nina to the steward, who was still looking out. With a mystified air, he produced another, and Nina added, hastily, “And some crackers and a bottle of lemonade. I forgot them before.”
These latter things she took possession of herself, then turned away, her handsome, obsequious companion trotting after her.
“Not accustomed to such rapid exercise,” she heard murmured as she reached the outer air. He was leaning with languid grace against a cabin door, and she paused and observed contritely that she did not know how fast she was going.