At any rate the
stewardess was busy in there for some time, and when I asked what had
happened, she said, 'Only hysterics, ma'am; they're common enough.'
But as I happened to know where she was, and what had just happened, I
did not treat the matter so lightly. Of course it was an exaggeration
of the other girl, but it showed that some people who seem very
innocent will bear looking after. Too bad that pretty girls must spoil
everything by being vain and--well, careless! But the two I mention
are very unconventional."
The Windemeres, mother and daughters, listened with groans of horror,
the attache with a troubled look, and the traveler with a gravity that
was almost stern. Quite unnoted by the absorbed group, another also
heard, for Lady Moreham, seemingly absorbed in a book and hidden by
some projection of the deck, had dropped the volume and was scowling
savagely. She was not taken with these young women, for at first they
had distinctly snubbed her, and later, having learned her title, had so
suddenly changed to fawning and flattery that she was thoroughly
disgusted.
After an instant the traveler spoke abruptly,
"Do you say you heard and saw this _yourself_, Mrs. Campbell?"
"A part of it--yes, sir." How small a part she did not mention. "The
rest was made comprehensible by Mr. Frazer's explanation."
"I cannot believe that one of the ship's officers would speak ill of
the captain's daughters, madam--and that you refer to them we all
understand.
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