Her eyes had opened to a curious sort of twilight, and there was a fair girlish head over her, with a sweet smiling face. An elderly weather-beaten face in a hood next appeared, and a brown hand holding a cup closed over the top, in invalid fashion, and a kind strong arm slightly raised her with, “There, there, poor dear! The spirit, my lady dear, the spirit! That’s right, now then.” “You _must_ be a baby;” and a merry reassuring smile broke out as the draught was administered. Vera tasted, thanked, swallowed, felt giddy, and lay down, hearing a lively bit of self-gratulation. “There, Mrs. Griggs, I’m getting my sea legs!” followed by an ignominious stumble as Mrs. Griggs caught the cup in good time as the vessel gave a lurch which completed Vera’s awakening in the fear of being shaken out on the floor. She looked round to find herself in a tiny room, cushioned throughout, with strange dancing confused light coming in, and the few articles of furniture carefully secured. Two young figures were there, both dressed in stout blue serge, with white trimmings; one, the darker, beside her bed, had a face full of kindness and solicitude, yet of fun dimpling over continually; the other, even in that dim light, striking Vera as something out of the loveliest visions of romance, so fair and beautiful was the countenance. A man’s voice was at the door. “Fly! Francie! How is she?” “Much better! Nearly well! Good morning, Papa dear. Is he all right?” “As sound as a bell! Ha!” As the door escaped, the curtain over it shook, and he nearly fell against it, saving himself with his hands. “That was exercise!” As the young girls came tumbling up and disappeared behind the curtain, where, however, the voices could be plainly heard, “Had any sleep to-night or this morning?” “Between whiles! O yes! All our bones are still whole, as I hope yours and Ivy’s are.” “Come and see. Griggs is getting breakfast under difficulties insurmountable to any one but a sea-grasshopper! I came to call you damsels, and present my inquiries to Miss Prescott.” “She will soon be all right! Francie and I are so proud of having had a real downright adventure.” “I trust she will not be the worse, and will—excuse me, and regard me as incognito.” This was said as another lurch drove the grizzled head into the cabin; and recovering in another upheaval they all disappeared, leaving Vera in a dreaming state, whence she was only half roused when Mrs. Griggs returned to administer breakfast, so far as she could taste it, under exhortations, pettings, and scoldings; and she very soon fell asleep again, and was thus left, sensible all the time of tossings and buffetings, but so worn out by the five hours of the boat, and so liable to be made ill by the motion of the vessel, that it was thought best to leave her to sleep in her berth.