‘Ah, you spoil her,’ said Jack, as he helped them both on deck. ‘It’s more than she does me!’ exclaimed Alice’s merry voice behind them. ‘Everybody spoils you, you monkey,’ replied her lover, as he turned to greet her. ‘Well, did you think we had altered our minds, and were never coming, Jack? And how do you like me, now _I have_ come?’ inquired Alice, consciously. ‘You look charming, as you always do,’ he answered. Most men would have returned a more enthusiastic reply, for Alice was looking her very best. Robed in a yachting costume of white serge, with gilt anchor buttons, and a sailor’s hat bound with white ribbon, set coquettishly upon her sunny curls, she _ran a muck_ of the heart of every son of Neptune who saw her step upon the deck. ‘Well, it’s something to get a compliment out of you, Jack. “All scraps thankfully received.” But come along and show us our cabin, and help us to get straight. I can’t think how we are all going to get into it.’ ‘I wish I could obey your bidding, Alice, but it’s impossible,’ replied Jack. ‘I can’t stir from here. I’m on duty.’ A cloud came over Alice’s fair face. ‘I don’t believe it. You’re looking out for somebody else.’ ‘You’ve hit it!’ he exclaimed, with a merry laugh. ‘I am waiting for my other girl.’ And, at that moment, as if to confirm his joking assertion, Mrs and Miss Vansittart appeared. ‘Mr Sparkes,’ Jack had just time to call out, ‘take these ladies into the saloon, and tell the stewardess to show them their cabin,’ and then he turned away to attend to the new comers. Alice Leyton pouted visibly at what she considered her lover’s neglect; but Mr Richard Sparkes was so delightfully pleasant and gallant, that she soon forgot all about it. ‘Allow me,’ said Vernon Blythe gracefully, as he extended his hand for the convenience of Mrs Vansittart. ‘Lor’! thank you, sir, I’m sure!’ exclaimed the panting, good-humoured woman, as she clawed hold of his arm with her enormous fist. ‘Moving is a worry, and no mistake. However, thank heaven! it’s for the last time. When I’ve once got home, no one will tempt me back again. Where are you, Grace? Don’t tumble into the water, whatever you do. It’s a real risk of life to ask any one to cross such a narrow plank as that.’ ‘Here I am, mamma--close behind you,’ replied Grace.