any without these things,
they come home and die."

And I related to him what the doctor and the vicar and the other people
had told me, and explained to him how my life depended upon my taking
brandy and blankets and sunshades and plenty of warm clothing with me.

He is a man utterly indifferent to danger and risk--incurred by other
people--is B. He said:

"Oh, rubbish! You're not the sort that catches a cold and dies young.
You leave that co-operative stores of yours at home, and pack up a
tooth-brush, a comb, a pair of socks, and a shirt. That's all you'll
want."

* * * * *

I have packed more than that, but not much. At all events, I have got
everything into one small bag. I should like to have taken that tea
arrangement--it would have done so nicely to play at shop with in the
train!--but B. would not hear of it.

I hope the weather does not change.

FRIDAY, 23RD

Early Rising.--Ballast should be Stowed Away in the Hold before Putting
to Sea.--Annoying Interference of Providence in Matters that it Does Not
Understand.--A Socialistic Society.--B. Misjudges Me.--An Uninteresting
Anecdote.--We Lay in Ballast.--A Moderate Sailor.--A Playful Boat.

I got up very early this morning. I do not know why I got up early. We
do not start till eight o'clock this evening. But I don't regret it--the
getting up early I mean. It is a change. I got everybody else up too,
and we all had breakfast at seven.

I made a very good lunch. One of those seafaring men said to me once:

"Now, if ever you are going a short passage, and are at all nervous, you
lay in a good load. It's a good load in the hold what steadies the ship.
It's them half-empty cruisers as goes a-rollin' and a-pitchin' and
a-heavin' all over the place, with their stern up'ards half the time.
You lay in ballast."

It seemed very reasonable advice.

Aunt Emma came in the afternoon. She said she was so glad she had caught
me. Something told her to change her mind and come on Friday instead of
Saturday. It was Providence, she said.

I wish Providence would mind its own business, and not interfere in my
affairs: it does not understand them.

She says she shall stop till I come back, as she wants to see me again
before she goes. I told her I might not be back for a month. She said
it didn't matter; she had plenty of time, and would wait for me.

The family entreat me to hurry home.

I ate a very fai