Harold was taken by another set of men, who rubbed him down till he glowed, and poured hot brandy and water into him till he had to almost use force against the superabundance of their friendly ministrations. For the remainder of that day a sort of solemn gladness ruled on the _Scoriac_. The Stonehouse family remained in their suite, content in glad thankfulness to be with Pearl, who lay well covered up on the sofa sleeping off the effects of the excitement and the immersion, and the result of the potation which the Doctor had forced upon her. Harold was simply shy, and objecting to the publicity which he felt to be his fate, remained in his cabin till the trumpet had blown the dinner call. CHAPTER XXV--A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD After dinner Harold went back to his cabin; locking himself in, he lay down on the sofa. The gloom of his great sorrow was heavy on him; the reaction from the excitement of the morning had come. He was recalled to himself by a gentle tapping. Unlocking and opening the door he saw Mr. Stonehouse, who said with trouble in his voice: 'I came to you on account of my little child.' There he stopped with a break in his voice. Harold, with intent to set his mind at ease and to stave off further expressions of gratitude, replied: 'Oh, pray don't say anything. I am only too glad that I was privileged to be of service. I only trust that the dear little girl is no worse for her--her adventure!' 'That is why I am here,' said the father quickly. 'My wife and I are loth to trouble you. But the poor little thing has worked herself into a paroxysm of fright and is calling for you. We have tried in vain to comfort or reassure her. She will not be satisfied without you. She keeps calling on "The Man" to come and help her. I am loth to put you to further strain after all you have gone through to-day; but if you would come--' Harold was already in the passage as he spoke: 'Of course I'm coming. If I can in any way help it is both a pleasure and a duty to be with her.' Turning to the father he added: 'She is indeed a very sweet and good child. I shall never forget how she bore herself whilst we waited for aid to come.' 'You must tell her mother and me all about it,' said the father; much moved. When they came close to the Stonehouses' suite of rooms they heard Pearl's voice rising with a pitiful note of fear: