anybody speaks to them they appear offended. It's a
shame they ain't more sociable, 'specially as my gals is fond of
gentleman's company."

Both Reg and Hal overheard this remark from a stout, florid lady, who
with her two daughters was starting on a tour through Australia. She was
the wife of Samuel Lewis, cheesemonger, of Drury Lane: they had noticed
a label on one of her boxes.

"I feel sorry for her and her daughters, don't you, Reg?" said Hal.

"I've not noticed them, old chap," he answered, indifferently.

"Look here, my boy. You must enliven up a bit. It's no use fretting. You
can do nothing till you get to Adelaide, so let's have a bit of fun."

"I'll come round in time, old chap. I have felt better every day since
meeting you."

"Yes, and I mean you to feel better still; but come away, here's that
confounded old Tickell coming, he's dead set on us," as they dodged
round some deck-chairs.

"Ha, gentlemen, here you are! I am so glad to see you. Would you try one
of my cigars; they are really a first-class brand. No; you don't smoke
cigars, eh? Sorry for that. Prefer a pipe, eh? Well, that's a nice one
you are smoking, and it seems to colour well. Splendid thing, a
meerschaum. I always smoke cherry-wood myself; see, this is one. I have
some more down below like it. Would you care for one? I assure you they
are something special; and this tobacco's simply--"

"Yes, yes," said Hal, stopping him abruptly. "I am sure all you say is
quite correct, but we do not require anything to-day, and, moreover, we
are engaged--"

"But, my dear sir, you know on board ship people are--"

"Supposed to mind their own business," said Hal, exasperated with the
man's importunity.

"Yes, exactly, my dear sir, but when--"

"Look, Mr. Tickell, there's Mrs. Morgan beckoning to you," said Reg.

"Where? Ah, yes, I am sorry I must leave you: ta, ta; I'll see you
again," and away he skipped to annoy someone else.

"Tickell is a specimen of that irritating species of human kind, the
unsnubbable," said Hal.

Various attempts were made to penetrate their reserve, but without
success, for they clearly gave everyone to understand that they
preferred the company of each other, which did not tend to their
popularity on board. Amongst the passengers was a young man who rejoiced
in the high-sounding name of Hugh St. John Wilson-Mainwaring, and whose
sense of self-importance was as extensive as his appellation. He was the
younger son o