without further demur
and at once set about my needful preparations for the voyage. So
engrossed was I with these matters that almost at once, it seemed to me,
the date of sailing was at hand.

Accompanied by my travelling belongings, I repaired by train to New
York, Miss Primleigh following a few hours later with our charges. It
was agreed that we should meet upon the dock at ten of the clock on the
following forenoon, the hour of sailing being eleven, upon the good ship
_Dolly Madison_, and the destination Liverpool, England. Such of the
student-group as resided within easy distance of the port of departure
expected members of their several families and possibly friends as well
would be present to wish them the customary _bon voyage_. As for me, I
was quite alone, having no closer relative than a great-aunt of advanced
years residing in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, who, being debarred
by articular rheumatism and other infirmities to which all flesh is
heir, from coming in person to bid her beloved nephew adieu, sent me by
parcels post a farewell present consisting of a pair of embroidered
bedroom slippers, pink in colour, with a design of moss roses done in
green and yellow upon the respective toes, all being her own handiwork.

I come now to the actual leave-taking from this, our native clime.
Filled with a pleasurable fluttering sensation engendered doubtlessly by
the novelty of the impending undertaking and at the same time beset by a
nervous apprehension lest I fail to embark in proper season, due either
to an unexpected change in the hour of sailing or perchance to some
unforeseen delay encountered in transit from my hotel to the water
front, and pestered finally by a haunting dread lest the cabman confuse
the address in his own mind and deposit me at the wrong pier, there
being many piers in New York and all of such similarity of outward
appearance, I must confess that I slept but poorly the night. Betimes,
upon the morn of the all-momentous day I arose, and with some difficulty
mastering an inclination toward tremors, I performed the customary
ablutions. Then after a brief and hurried breakfast--in fact a breakfast
so hurried as to occasion a subsequent touch of dyspepsia--I engaged a
taxicab with the aid of a minor member of the hotel menage, known as the
porter.

Upon this menial, who impressed me as being both kindly and obliging
albeit somewhat officious, I pressed a coin of the denomination of fiv