“Very good, sir. I will see to it immediately after dinner.”
The purser was as good as his word, and introduced Buel and his portmanteau to a room that contained three wild American collegians who had been doing Europe “on the cheap” and on foot. They received the new-comer with a hilariousness that disconcerted him.
“Hello, purser!” cried one, “this is an Englishman. You didn’t tell us you were going to run in an Englishman on us.”
“Never, mind, we’ll convert him on the way over.”
“I say, purser, if you sling a hammock from the ceiling and put up a cot on the floor you can put two more men in here. Why didn’t you think of that?”
“It’s not too late yet. Why did you suggest it?”
“Gentlemen,” said Buel, “I have no desire to intrude, if it is against your wish.”
“Oh, that’s all right. Never mind them. They have to talk or die. The truth is, we were lonesome without a fourth man.”
“What’s his name, purser?”
“My name is Buel.”