INTRODUCTIONS.
When they went back upon deck Faith had the pacified Hafiz in her arms,
and was inclined to sympathize with her sister, who could not carry
Texas about in that manner. But Hope needed no consolation. "Possibly
I cannot, yet," she allowed, "but wait a while. I intend to tame
Texas, and then I shall have him to perch on my wrist like a falcon.
And, just now, I don't know that I care to be hampered by any sort of a
baby," laughing mischievously, for Faith looked quite motherly, with
the kitten wrapped in a fold of her cape.
They had come above to see the lighthouse and Hurst Castle, at the
opening into the Channel, which seemed to be held out from the mainland
by a long, thin arm of soil. The Channel here narrows to about a mile
in width, and these objects loom up conspicuously to the starboard of
the outbound steamer. As they stood watching from the hurricane deck,
to which they had ascended, and admiring not only the bright scene
before them, but also the splendor and cleanliness of their father's
ship, a boyish voice was heard to exclaim,
"Well, I've explored as far as they'll let me, and I say she's a dandy!
I believe she'll compare pretty well with the P. & O. liners, after
all, don't you, Bess?" And up through the companionway came a head in
a yachting-cap, followed by a slender boy in gray, with a frank, but
homely visage.
He gave the girls a keen glance, which they more modestly returned, and
they privately decided, after a second look, that his eyes were fine
and his smile a pleasant one, if he was slightly snub-nosed and
freckled.
Just behind him came the "Bess" of his question, a rather delicate
young lady in appearance, possibly in her early twenties, the boy being
at least four years younger. She was not pretty, but as her eyes
lighted upon the sisters, she too smiled so pleasantly, they were at
once drawn to her, and returned the wordless greeting with more than
civility. Then Hope broke out, impulsively,
"We are watching the lighthouse. Doesn't it loom up well? Almost as
if we were going to run into it."
"True enough," returned "Bess," as both drew nearer, and the boy added,
to Faith,
"You've got an Angora, haven't you? We left one at home, didn't we,
Bess? He's a splendid fellow, Chimmie Fadden is!"
"Chimmie Fadden? What a funny name!" laughed the twins in chorus.
"It's out of a story," he explained, "a Van Bibber story, and really
means Jimmy, you know, but that's the way the boy pronounced it
himself. He acts timid," this in reference to Hafiz, who burrowed
under Faith's arm, resenting his advances.
"Yes, he doesn't like it on board, at all. It's all too strange, yet.
Father gave him to me just before we started, and he hasn't become used
to anything--not even me."
"And I've a parrot," put in Hope. "_He_ takes it out in scolding. I
shall not dare have him on deck until he gets over his sulks, and will
talk nice things. So far, he is a bit rude and outspoken for polite
society."
Their light talk and laughter seemed to break all ice between them, if
there had been any to break, and the young lady asked,
"Do you go far? I noticed you on the forward deck. It is seldom one
sees two people so exactly alike. Can even your own mother tell you
apart?"
"Our mother we have never known, she died when we were so little," said
Faith gently, "but Debby, our nurse, always knew, and so does father.
Very few others do, though."
"Is your father with you?"
"Oh, yes, indeed!" laughed Hope. "We couldn't very well do without
him--"
"Oh, I know, I know. He's the _captain_! Isn't he now?" cried the
boy. "I heard the head steward saying something to another officer
about the captain's daughters. Haven't I made a good guess?"
"You certainly have," said Faith.
"Then your name is Hosmer," added the boy, triumphantly. "I've been
over nearly the whole steamer, and she's fine! And I know our captain
quite well, and like him first-rate, already."
"Oh, you do?" laughed his sister. "Well, now you have ferreted out who
these young ladies are, I think we ought to introduce ourselves. This
is my brother, Dwight Vanderhoff, of New York City, America, and I am
his sister Elizabeth, generally shortened to Bess. We are going with
our mother and uncle, Mr. Dwight Lawrence, for whom this youngster is
named, to India, and intend to make an extended tour. We have been on
the Continent and in the British Isles for three or four months, and
haven't lost any of our Yankee enthusiasm and curiosity yet, as you
see."
"And we're American, too!" cried Hope.
"And English," added Faith.
"Why, how is that?"
The latter explained.
"Well, if that isn't jolly!" said Dwight. "To be sure, this steamer's
the 'International,' and sails under both flags. I noticed our old
'star-spangled' along with the Union Jack, and wondered. Do you see,
Bess?"
"Of course I see, and am delighted. I shall consider it a good omen
for our voyage."
"Especially as she carries Faith and Hope with her," remarked the
latter, with a merry glance at her sister.
"Certainly," returned Bess obliviously, but Dwight broke in,
"Wait! You mean something special by that; I see it in your eyes. Let
me guess again. Faith and hope--faith and hope--I once knew a girl
named Faith--say! I'll bet a cooky those are your names. Aren't they,
now?"
"Right again!" laughed Hope, while he jumped about, clapping his hands
in ecstasy.
"Hear that, Bess Vanderhoff? Uncle always said I was a regular Yankee
for guessing, and that shows it. But those are stunning names for
twins--"
"Dwight, Dwight! What an expression to describe those lovely words."
"Well, it was rather off, Bess. I beg your pardon, Miss Faith and
Miss--but which is which, and how will I know if you tell me? It's a
regular Chinese puzzle, for you are precisely the same until you speak,
and then there's a difference. For you," he pointed towards Hope,
"look somehow--well, jollier, I guess it is."
"Don't be personal, Dwight," admonished his sister.
"But it's a personal subject, sis, how can I help it? May I make one
more try at it?"
"As many as you like," laughed Hope.
"Well, then, if you're named as you ought to be you are Hope, because
you look it, and she--"
He was interrupted by a little cry from Faith, who had been watching
the scenery more closely than the others. They followed her gaze and
were silenced a while by the impressive scene, for the Channel was
opening broadly before them, its cold green waves curling into
foam-tipped breakers, while the Needles, those natural turrets of the
deep, rose in stately fashion from the waters, seemingly in their very
path, as if here the bold voyager must needs be challenged before
venturing further. The narrow Solent was passed and a wider roadway
was to be theirs for many a day. But after a little, Dwight's
irrepressible spirits broke out afresh, and he returned to the charge,
evidently determined to be at no loss when addressing these girls, whom
he secretly chose as companions for Bess and himself out of the whole
passenger list. He finished his guess concerning Hope, and once more
proved his right to American citizenship.
"But why do I look my name?" she asked curiously.
"Can't tell; you just do, that's all. I'm a guesser, but I can't
explain why, at all.
"You may know me by my cat--Hafiz the poet, at your service," said her
sister merrily.
"But when you don't have the cat, Miss Faith? One of you ought to tie
on a pink ribbon somewhere, and one a blue."
"Yes, and then we'd be like the old woman with her eggs," put in Bess.
"It would be sink or swim--pink or blue--but which? I think I'd rather
learn you by closer observation, and you mustn't mind if I stare a good
deal for a time.
"Oh, no, people always do stare," said Hope nonchalantly, which was,
indeed, the truth. The sisters had become so used to this attention in
public that they were able to appear unconscious of it always, whether
really so or not. For, being sensible girls, they did not attribute
this at all to their fair, fresh faces, but to the resemblance between
them, enough of a novelty in this world of diversities to be always
observable.
They were well out into the Channel when summoned to luncheon, and only
waited long enough for a good look back at the beautifully wooded
shores before they went below. The first meal at sea is always an
interesting one. It is a matter of great moment to many in what part
of the saloon they will be assigned a place, and of course the special
honor of sitting at the captain's table is desired by all, though
attained by few.
As they were descending towards the cabin, to join their father, Faith,
ever thoughtful of others, said in a low voice.
"Don't you wish we could have the Vanderhoff party at our table, Hope?"
"True enough. It would be fine! Let's ask father."
"But you know he leaves all that to Mr. Malcolm, and I don't believe we
ought to meddle."
Mr. Malcolm was the head steward, and it was an excellent rule of
Captain Hosmer's to interfere as little as possible with the special
prerogatives of his officers, who in turn always tried their best to
please him. Mr. Malcolm knew his duties thoroughly, and did them.
This the girls knew, hence the disclaimer from thoughtful Faith,
"Oh dear! It would be so pleasant. And father ought to have a say
about his own table--"
"But you know he's always consulted, dear, and by this time everything
is planned."
"Well, we might be consulted, too."
"Why, Hope! When he has planned everything to make it pleasant for us."
Hope's pout died out into a shamefaced smile.
"There, there! Consider it unsaid, Miss Wisdom. Guess I can
appreciate the dear man, myself--and there he is looking for us now."
Quite over her pet, she ran to meet him, and his tender smile met their
upturned faces.
"Ah, girlies, I was just coming for you. I'll see you in to the table
and join you presently. Just now I'm busy, but Malcolm and Joey will
look after you. I didn't forget that my little girls were along when
we fixed up the table-list, and you'll see they are not all ponderous
elderly people with titles, this time. Come on!"
The sisters exchanged glances, and Hope in a spasm of repentance,
murmured, "Oh papa, you're too good to us!" which he only half caught
as Faith just then remarked,
"But Hafiz--I'll have to--"
"Here, Jack,"--to a passing attendant,--"take this kitten to my cabin,
and see that the door is shut into the large stateroom, off. Hafiz and
Texas are better apart until time has cemented their friendship," he
added, with a twinkle, turning again to his daughters. "Now hurry!"
and he raced them merrily down the companion-way, and through the after
saloon, to the great apartment set out with table after table, in a
bewildering vista of white linen, glittering silver, and shining
crystal.
As they stepped to their places Hope nearly gave a hop of pleasure, for
on one side were Bess and Dwight, with a tall lady whom Bess greatly
resembled, and a rather magnificent gentleman, whose whole air bespoke
one used to power, to luxury, and to travel.
The others consisted of two or three officers, an outgoing Indian
official who wrote Sir before his name, a famous traveler, a minister
from America, and a Russian writer of note. The ladies were fewer,
there being only three besides Mrs. Vanderhoff. One was the wife of
the English baronet, and the other two seemed traveling together, but
in what relation was not apparent. One was past middle life, and
fine-looking, with snowy hair, brilliant eyes, and a polished speech
and manner. The other was, as the sisters rather hastily decided, not
prepossessing in appearance, having a reserved and haughty manner. She
seldom spoke, and was either preoccupied, or indifferent.
The captain, with a courteous general greeting, introduced his
daughters, then seated them, one on either side of his own place, when,
with a word to Joey, whose manner was eagerly attentive, he hastened
back to his post, leaving them to their own devices. Bess at once
presented them to her mother and uncle, the latter in turn mentioning
the names of the Indian official, Sir Wilbur Lawton, his wife and the
traveler, whose famous cognomen may not be written here. Then he
glanced half inquiringly at the two ladies, who were evidently
strangers to him, when she of the white hair said gracefully,
"And let me present to all, my friend, Lady Moreham."
Then, as her companion did not return the favor, she added, "And I am
Mrs. Poinsett."
The younger people were too well trained to monopolize conversation,
but listened with pleasure to the talk between the gentlemen concerning
hunting of "big game" in India, with which both the traveler and Sir
Wilbur seemed well acquainted, Mr. Lawrence asking intelligent
questions, and the Russian whose name was almost unpronounceable,
putting in a broken sentence, or two, now and then. The ladies mostly
listened, also, but occasionally the two who were companions conversed
in low tones. Lady Lawton, who was extremely fleshy, devoted herself
exclusively to her luncheon.
The twins, meanwhile, made their observations with the promptitude of
youth. They liked Mrs. Vanderhoff, whose manner was quiet and
sensible, in accord with her dress and appearance, and they also
fancied Mrs. Poinsett, but the one called Lady Moreham they decided was
disagreeable, and too proud of her rank to be sociable. They were glad
she sat at the further end of the table, and Hope remarked, as she bent
forward for the pepper-box. "There's a regular specimen of your
British aristocracy, Faith Hosmer. You must feel proud of it!"
But Faith only smiled, as she murmured in return, "Judge not!" then,
with her charming smile, answered Mr. Lawrence's question with a "No,
sir, it is our first trip to India. We have often been to Cowes, or
Plymouth, with father, but never far from English shores, except once,
when we spent a year in Massachusetts, at the time he was mate of the
'Glasgow.'"
"Ah, in what part? Boston, I presume?"
"Yes, sir, Boston, Lynn, Salem; but we lived at Lynn."
Here Bess broke in to briefly explain the double nationality claimed by
the girls, and for a rather embarrassing minute the attention of the
table seemed concentrated upon them. Amid the fusillade of question
and comment Hope noticed Lady Moreham's eyes suddenly flash and
soften--she could almost have thought there were tears in them, indeed.
But why? At any rate, she began to think there might be some redeeming
traits, even in this "specimen of British aristocracy."