"Which is a polite way of saying that they are not inclined to come out," the Doctor remarked.
"Exactly so," replied the purser, "they think they would make the best appearance alone."
Captain Spofford, who sat opposite to Frank, remarked that he knew an excellent preventive of sea-sickness. Frank asked what it was.
"Always stay at home," was the reply.
"Yes," answered Frank, "and to escape drowning you should never go near the water."
Fred said the best thing to prevent a horse running away was to sell him off.
Everybody had a joke of some kind to propose, and the breakfast party was a merry one. Suddenly Captain Spofford called out, "There she blows!" and pointed through the cabin window. Before the others could look, the rolling of the ship had brought the window so far above the water that they saw nothing.
"What is it?" Fred asked.
"A whale," Captain Spofford answered. "What he is doing here, I don't know. This isn't a whaling-ground."
They went on deck soon after, and, sure enough, several whales were in sight. Every little while a column of spray was thrown into the air, and indicated there was a whale beneath it.