"Do you happen to remember the approximate number of large ships in the English navy?" asked Dobson.
"I'm sorry to say I do not," replied the reporter.
"I do," put in Ensign Liddon, who had had time to collect his thoughts and statistics. "England has two hundred and one, not counting gunboats, torpedo-boats, and other small craft——"
"Small! Do you call this ship small?" cried Ethelwyn indignantly.
"She'd look like a kitten beside her mother if a first-class battleship ranged alongside," laughed Liddon. "Well, I was about to add that France has ninety-six big ships, Russia fifty-nine, and Germany seventy-three. The United States has only sixty-five."
"How many has Japan?" inquired Rexdale significantly. Just behind his shoulder a pair of dark, obliquely-set eyes flashed at the question.
"Forty-four, I believe. She would have a poor show at sea against Russia's fifty-nine."
"Oshima, there, doesn't seem to agree with you," said Dr. Cutler lightly, nodding in the direction of the steward.
All eyes were turned to the little Japanese, who drew back modestly.