“Oh! are we going down?” she implored him. “Have we struck? Oughtn't we to pray—somebody? Shall I wake the children?”
“Mavering reassured her, and told her there was no danger.
“Well, then,” she said, “I'll go back for my shoes.”
“Yes, better get your shoes.”
The saloon rose round him and sank. He controlled his sickness by planting a chair in the centre and sitting in it with his eyes shut. As he grew more comfortable he reflected how he had calmed that woman, and he resolved again to spend his life in doing good. “Yes, that's the only ticket,” he said to himself, with involuntary frivolity. He thought of what the officer had said, and he helplessly added, “Circus ticket—reserved seat.” Then he began again, and loaded himself with execration.
The boat got into Portland at nine o'clock, and Mavering left her, taking his hand-bag with him, and letting his trunk go on to Boston.
The officer who received his ticket at the gangplank noticed the destination on it, and said, “Got enough?”
“Yes, for one while.” Mavering recognised his acquaintance of the night before.
“Don't like picnics very much.”
“No,” said Mavering, with abysmal gloom. “They don't agree with me. Never did.” He was aware of trying to make his laugh bitter. The officer did not notice.