“What makes it go? It rushes through the water; it trembles, I feel it trembling beneath my feet; it makes a noise.”
“Those are the engines.”
“The engines? Are they alive?”
“Alive? Yes, while Mr. Rudd and his friends keep feeding them they’re alive. Come and have a look at them.”
“No. I dare not. I’m afraid.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. This is a steamer. The engines drive it along. Don’t you know what a steamer is? Haven’t you ever heard of one?”
She shook her head. I didn’t know what to make of her. Her ignorance was something beyond my experience. Presently she was off on a fresh tack.
“Is England far?”
“Pretty well. If we’ve luck we shall get there in about a month.”
“A month?—four weeks?” I nodded. “I cannot live—four weeks—upon the sea!”