Page 36 (1/1)

Sam dried the razor carefully and put it away He hesitated Then the desire to confide in soetically, "I'nett sat up and buainst the berth above hie started"

"I think you ht have told me," said Eustace reproachfully "I told youhad co these last few days I had a notion that your mind was, so to speak, occupied elsewhere"

"Who is she?"

"Oh, a girl I nett solemnly "As a friend I entreat you not to do it! Take my advice, as a man who knoomen, and don't do it!"

"Don't do what?"

"Propose to her I can tell by the glitter in your eye that you are intending to propose to this girl--probably thisDon't do it Women are the devil, whether they marry you or jilt you Do you realise that wo dresses that have to be hooked up in a hurry when you are late for the theatre, and that, out of sheer wanton nity, the hooks and eyes on those dresses are also ht it all out"

"And take the matter of children Hoould you like to becolance around you will show you that the chances are enor--of a boy with spectacles and protruding front teeth who asks questions all the time? Out of six small boys whom I sahen I came on board, four wore spectacles and had teeth like rabbits The other tere equally revolting in different styles Hoould you like to become the father?"

"There is no need to be indelicate," said Sam stiffly "A man must take these chances"

"Give her the nett "Stay down here for the rest of the voyage You can easily dodge her when you get to Southaes, say you're ill and can't be disturbed"

Saan to understand hoas that a girl with ideals had broken off her engage, and, after a satisfying breakfast, went on deck