“I do not see but what we shall be obliged to submit, since I do not wish to be rude to any of our party. But I must say I think they are very cool.”
They moved away to another portion of the boat, but when, an hour later, they saw the interlopers promenading the deck, they quietly slipped into the vacated seats, and settled themselves for the remainder of the sail.
Here they were soon chatting in the most sociable manner, and were right in the midst of a most interesting discussion regarding their toilet for an approaching reception, when a cold voice broke out upon them, saying:
“Miss Gladstone, may I trouble you to vacate our chairs?”
Star started and flushed. Too well she knew those incisive tones.
But she quickly recovered herself, however, and looking up at Mrs. Richards, for it was she who had spoken, said:
“Your chairs? Are they yours?”
“Certainly; you have already seen us occupying them, I believe,” the woman responded, haughtily.
Star’s face began to dimple with amusement, for she knew well enough that this demand was only made to annoy her and make her unpleasantly conspicuous, and she was determined to turn the tables to their own mortification; for they could not fail to learn when they landed to whom the chairs and other comforts belonged.
She made a motion to Grace, who, she saw, was bristling with indignation, to keep silent; then she arose, bowing with graceful politeness to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, though her eyes were gleaming with suppressed laughter.