“Oh yes, it is,” replied the young lady, “he tells me they charge all breakages against him.” “He didn’t tell you what method they had of keeping track of the breakages, did he? Suppose he told the chief steward that you broke the cup, which is likely he did. What then?” “Oh, you are too cynical this morning, and it would serve you just right if you go and get some coffee for yourself, and meet with the same disaster that overtook the unfortunate steward. Only you are forewarned that you shall have neither sympathy nor fee.” “Well, in that case,” said the young man, “I shall not take the risk. I shall sacrifice the steward rather. Oh, here he is. I say, steward, will you bring me a cup of coffee, please?” “Yes, sir. Any biscuit, sir?” “No, no biscuit. Just a cup of coffee and a couple of lumps of sugar, please; and if you can first get me a chair, and strap it to this rod in the manner you do so well, I shall be very much obliged.” “Yes, sir. I shall call the deck steward, sir.” “Now, notice that. You see the rascals never interfere with each other. The deck steward wants a fee, and the smoking-room steward wants a fee, and each one attends strictly to his own business, and doesn’t interfere with the possible fees of anybody else.” “Well,” said Miss Earle, “is not that the correct way? If things are to be well done, that is how they should be done. Now, just notice how much more artistically the deck steward arranged these rugs than you did yesterday morning. I think it is worth a good fee to be wrapped up so comfortably as that.” “I guess I’ll take lessons from the deck steward then, and even if I do not get a fee, I may perhaps get some gratitude at least.” “Gratitude? Why, you should think it a privilege.” “Well, Miss Earle, to tell the truth, I do. It is a privilege that—I hope you will not think I am trying to flatter you when I say—any man might be proud of.” “Oh, dear,” replied the young lady, laughing, “I did not mean it in that way at all. I meant that it was a privilege to be allowed to practise on those particular rugs. Now, a man should remember that he undertakes a very great responsibility when he volunteers to place the rugs around a lady on a steamer chair. He may make her look very neat and even pretty by a nice disposal of the rugs, or he may make her look like a horrible bundle.” “Well, then, I think I was not such a failure after all yesterday morning, for you certainly looked very neat and pretty.”