Laughing and talking, with the quickly established good fellowship of young folks, Sheila and Ronald paced up and down the deck. Sheila was keenly interested in the big vessel and in the other ships they met or passed as they glided along; and Ronald could answer most of her questions, and was altogether a delightful companion. He had travelled a good deal, though he had never before been to Madeira; and he told her anecdotes of shipboard life and of his hunting adventures, time slipping away so fast that the clatter of teacups and the movement of some of the passengers towards the saloon quite surprised them.
It was not a full ship, being one of the “intermediate” boats popular with Madeira passengers, who often find trouble in getting booked for the regular Cape mails. Most of the passengers had cabins to themselves—no small boon to bad sailors, and appreciated by all.
“We shall take about half a day, perhaps a whole one, longer than the mail,” Ronald explained; “but it’s much jollier to have plenty of room and a cabin of one’s own. But come along and have some tea! Where are your people? You’ve got a delicate cousin, I know, and an aunt and uncle. Anybody else?”
“No, I did want my brother to come; but it couldn’t be arranged. It would have been quite perfect with him. Is this the way? How funny everything is on shipboard! Oh, we are beginning to roll a little! I suppose we are getting into the Channel?”
“Not a bit. I like it. There is Miss Adene! Who is the lovely lady she is talking to? And, oh, what a darling little boy! Who is he?”
“Oh, that’s our young Rascal! The lady is my sister-in-law, you know. Here, Rascal, come and see this lady! Here’s somebody new to make a fuss of you!”
Sheila was devoted to babies and little children. She was on her knees in a moment, and little Guy had his arms about her, making up his mind in a moment that this was a friend, and laughing and chattering in the most confidential way.
“Oh, isn’t he too perfectly sweet!” cried Sheila in an ecstasy, kissing her hand as the nurse bore him off for his tea; and then she found herself led up and presented to Lady Dumaresq, who was so gentle, and beautiful, and sweet that Sheila fell in love with her at once.