"Yes, who?" echoed the rest of the family.
"I can't possibly leave the office for the next few weeks," said Mr. Brown hastily.
"I simply couldn't face the crossing alone—much less with William," said Ethel.
"I've got my finals coming off next year," said Robert. "I don't want to waste any time. I'm working rather hard these vacs."
"No one," said his father politely, "would have noticed it."
"I can go alone, thank you," said William with icy dignity.
******
In the end William and Mrs. Brown crossed to Ireland together.
"If William drops overboard," was Robert's parting shot, "don't worry."
The crossing was fairly eventful. William, hanging over the edge of the steamer, overbalanced, and was rescued from a watery grave by one of the crew who happened to be standing near and who caught him by his trousers as the overbalancing occurred. William was far from grateful.