‘But does not that mean that there will be something for me to work upon?’ said Miss Lee.
Her mother arose and, coming to my side, gently laid her hand upon my arm, and, looking into my face, said, ‘Alice and I know that there must be many things which you stand in need of. It could not be otherwise. Were you a princess it would be the same. You and my daughter are about of the same figure; you, perhaps, are a little stouter.’ She again caught her breath to arrest a sigh. ‘For so long a voyage as this we naturally brought a great deal of luggage with us, and I wish you to allow us to lend you anything that you may require.’ I thanked her. ‘Most of our luggage is in the hold,’ she continued. ‘I will ask Mrs. Richards to get some of our boxes brought on deck, and Alice shall select what she thinks you want. There is nothing of mine, I fear, that would be of any use,’ and she looked down her figure with a smile.
‘But we must let others have the pleasure of helping, too, mother,’ said Miss Lee. ‘Mrs. Richards says there are several ladies who desire to be of use.’
‘They shall lend what they like,’ said Mrs. Lee.
‘I am tiring you, Miss Lee,’ said I, rising. ‘I have made a long visit.’
‘Have you been on deck?’ said Mrs. Lee.
I answered that I had not yet been on deck.
‘Will you come with me for a little turn,’ she exclaimed. ‘I will introduce you to some of the passengers. I know most of them now.’
‘I will accompany you with pleasure,’ said I, then faltered, and felt some colour in my cheeks as I glanced at a looking-glass opposite.
‘You are welcome to my hat and jacket,’ said Miss Lee; ‘will you wear them?’ she added, with a sweet look of eagerness.