Thus it was arranged in the course of a talk with the mother. She was going back to the Fatherland, she explained, to exhibit her wonderful babe to its grandparents. And if the beautiful lady (here the Tyro shook his head vigorously) thought the captain wouldn't object, the youngster could be handed up over the rail for an occasional visit, and could be warranted to be wholly contented and peaceful. The experiment was tried at once, with such success that the Tyro was presently moved to complain of being wholly supplanted by the newcomer. Thereupon Little Miss Grouch condescended to resume the promenade.
"As our acquaintance bids fair to be of indefinite duration—" began the Tyro, when she cut in:—
"Why indefinite?"
"Since it is to last until I belie my better judgment and basely recant my opinion as to your looks."
"You were nearly caught while we were discussing our protégé. Well, go on."
"I think you'd best tell me a little about yourself."
"Oh, my life is dull compared with yours," she returned. "Our only interesting problem has been a barn-storming of the doors of New York Society."
"And did you break in?"
For a moment her eyes opened wide. Then she remembered his confessed ignorance and laughed.
With such reservations as she deemed advisable, she sketched briefly for him one of those amazing careers so typical of the swiftly changing social conditions of America.