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could not understand. A cursory glance round made it clear that the mistake was not on my side.
"Haven't you made some error?" I asked. "Aren't you in the wrong cabin? This is not yours."
"No, it is not all mine; we share it together, you and I."
"We share it together! what on earth do you mean?"
"Did not Miss Lawrence tell you?"
"She told me nothing at least she told me nothing which could explain your presence here. I do not know if you are aware that the berth with which you are making free is hers."
The girl shook her head and laughed.
"Not at all. It is you who are mistaken. Miss Lawrence has been remiss if she has not told you of the arrangement we have made."
"Arrangement? What arrangement have you made? What are you doing in this cabin?"
"It is very simple. We have made an exchange, Miss Lawrence and I; { have given her the berth in which I have been sleeping, though it really is a better one than this, and she has given me hers instead."
Even then I did not grasp her meaning. It had not occurred to me as even possible that such a blow could fall upon me. I knew so little about a ship that I had supposed that arrangements made before she started had to remain unchanged until the voyage was done.
"This cabin is not only Miss Lawrence's, it is also mine; she has no right to let anyone enter it without first of all consulting me."
She looked at me as if I had said something funny.
"I do not follow you. Surely Miss Lawrence can change her quarters if she chooses without consulting anyone. I don't wish to suggest anything in the slightest degree rude, but I'm afraid I don't see what her movements have to do with you. I hope you do not object to my taking her place."
"But I do very decidedly."
I spoke right out, on the spur of the moment, I admit; I admit also that Sadie Lawrence was not the sort of person I would have chosen to share a cabin. Goodness knows she was not faultless, but compared to that smoot
