she got Mrs. So-and-so to repeat it
to her it was merely to the effect that, though kangaroos were few on
Kangaroo Point, she ought to see the wealth of horseshoes in Horseshoe
Cut-off.

Oh, kind answer! that excused her frivolity by sharing it. Kind beyond
her utmost merit. She did not say so, but she thought it, sitting dumb,
in sudden tears, and burning with shame for her blindness to the hour's
fearful realities. While Ned stepped to Watson's side to speak
critically of the _Antelope_, now shining on their starboard bow, Hugh,
near the door, dropped a quiet request to the two or three other
occupants of the bench and they followed him out.

"Why do they go?" she asked, fancying them as much appalled at her as
she herself was, and when the sweet lady could not enlighten her the
pilots offered a guess that two had gone to relieve Mrs. Gilmore and her
maid and that Hugh would presently join the first clerk by the bell.

"There he is now," said Ned, actually expecting her to rise and look
down. But she sat still and watched the _Antelope_, wishing her far
better speed in view of the letters she carried. So came thoughts of the
long telegraphic despatch to her father which Hugh must by this time
have written for her mother, as agreed between them, and which was to be
sent, in the morning, from Memphis.

The door opened and Mrs. Gilmore and "Harriet" came in.

"Well," softly inquired the actor's wife, "how do we come on?" and
Ramsey answered as softly, yet taking pains that Ned and Watson should
overhear:

"I've disgraced myself."

"Mmm!" mumbled old Joy in corroboration.

"What have you done now?"

"Nothing. I don't _do_ anything. Only said something, something so silly
I can't even apologize."

"To whom?"

"The baby elephant," said Ramsey and laughed a note or two. The door
opened again and Hugh's bell call was explained by the entrance of the
texas tender and another white-jacket, each bearing a large tray of cups
and plates, hot coffee, and hot toasted rolls and butter. She hadn't
dreamed she was so hungry.

Watson stared back from the wheel with grim pretence of surprise. "Who
sent that here?"

"Mr. Hugh Co'teney sawnt it, suh," said the tender, arranging the cups
on the bench. "Yass'm," he repeated to the grateful ladies, "Mr. Hugh,
yass'm."

"Oh! Mr. Hugh," replied Watson. "He must 'a' gave you the order before
he come up here this last time."

"Yass, suh, but say don't fetch it tell he ring."