me used
to anything--not even me."

"And I've a parrot," put in Hope. "_He_ takes it out in scolding. I
shall not dare have him on deck until he gets over his sulks, and will
talk nice things. So far, he is a bit rude and outspoken for polite
society."

Their light talk and laughter seemed to break all ice between them, if
there had been any to break, and the young lady asked,

"Do you go far? I noticed you on the forward deck. It is seldom one
sees two people so exactly alike. Can even your own mother tell you
apart?"

"Our mother we have never known, she died when we were so little," said
Faith gently, "but Debby, our nurse, always knew, and so does father.
Very few others do, though."

"Is your father with you?"

"Oh, yes, indeed!" laughed Hope. "We couldn't very well do without
him--"

"Oh, I know, I know. He's the _captain_! Isn't he now?" cried the
boy. "I heard the head steward saying something to another officer
about the captain's daughters. Haven't I made a good guess?"

"You certainly have," said Faith.

"Then your name is Hosmer," added the boy, triumphantly. "I've been
over nearly the whole steamer, and she's fine! And I know our captain
quite well, and like him first-rate, already."

"Oh, you do?" laughed his sister. "Well, now you have ferreted out who
these young ladies are, I think we ought to introduce ourselves. This
is my brother, Dwight Vanderhoff, of New York City, America, and I am
his sister Elizabeth, generally shortened to Bess. We are going with
our mother and uncle, Mr. Dwight Lawrence, for whom this youngster is
named, to India, and intend to make an extended tour. We have been on
the Continent and in the British Isles for three or four months, and
haven't lost any of our Yankee enthusiasm and curiosity yet, as you
see."

"And we're American, too!" cried Hope.

"And English," added Faith.

"Why, how is that?"

The latter explained.

"Well, if that isn't jolly!" said Dwight. "To be sure, this steamer's
the 'International,' and sails under both flags. I noticed our old
'star-spangled' along with the Union Jack, and wondered. Do you see,
Bess?"

"Of course I see, and am delighted. I shall consider it a good omen
for our voyage."

"Especially as she carries Faith and Hope with her," remarked the
latter, with a merry glance at her sister.

"Certainly," returned Bess obliviously, but Dwight broke in,

"Wait! You mean something special by that; I se