"It is wonderful to think," said Miss Acton, "how far a ship like this will go. I suppose she would go around the world."
"Again and again, madam, whilst her timbers held."
"Around the world!" exclaimed Miss Acton, looking about her with an expression of awe in her face. "It is a long way from Old Harbour Town to London. But around the world! I believe I should be proud had I been around the world. How few who are not sailors can boast of it!"
"Let me conduct you into the cabin, madam," said the Admiral.
"No, sir, I must be content to stop on deck. It is about twenty years ago since I was on the sea. I crossed from Dover to Calais. We were two days terribly tossed about, and almost lost upon some sands. I lay dreadfully ill all the time, and on our arrival at Calais, when I had strength to speak, I said to papa: 'We must return by the sea, it is true, to get home, but once I am at home, I will never more put my foot into a ship.'"
"But the cabin is motionless, madam," said Mr Lawrence. "It is the tumbling of the sea that makes you ill. Here we are as restful as a painting."
"The very look of that hole," said the old lady, directing her eyes at the companion-way, "makes me feel as though if I descended I should suffer all that nearly killed me in my voyage from Dover to Calais."
"May I have the great honour of showing you the cabin, Miss?" said Mr Lawrence.
"Yes; since I am here I should like to see the ship," answered Lucy.
"I will keep Miss Acton company on deck," said the Admiral.