iller, desiring him to
look, after the arrangements for tea.

Our guest was sitting close by in one of our deck-chairs, which Bob had
gallantly offered her, and hearing me speak of tea, and understanding
that friend Robert was about to turn cook, she started up with child-
like impetuosity and said, "That is my work now; come along, Mr
Trunnion, and show me your pantry, and where you keep all your things,
and I will soon have your tea ready for you."

I protested against this, as did Bob, both of us declaring that we could
not possibly consent to her being troubled with the cooking or anything
else; but she drew herself up in a pretty wilful way and said, "Not let
me do the cooking? Indeed, but you must; I insist on it. Why, it is
woman's peculiar province to attend to the cooking always. Men never
understand how to cook properly; they have neither tact nor patience for
it. They dress food, but women cook it; and I will soon prove to you
how great a difference there is between the two. Now you must let me
have my own way just this once, please," turning coaxingly to me, as she
saw that I was about to make a further protest, and then, when I had
reluctantly consented, she turned to Bob, and said, "Come along, Bob--
Mr Trunnion, I mean; I really beg your pardon--you shall help me this
time, and afterwards I shall know exactly where to find everything," and
the strangely-contrasted pair dived below, Bob grinning from ear to ear
with delight at his novel situation.

"Reminds me of little `sauce-box'" (my sister), "this do," he murmured
gleefully, as he followed his fair companion below.

In rather over half an hour I was invited into the cabin to the evening
meal, Bob taking my place at the tiller meanwhile; and when I descended
I found that a change had indeed taken place in the aspect of culinary
affairs.

A snow-white table-cloth was spread, having been routed out from the
deepest recesses of my chest, where it, in company with others, had lain
in undisturbed repose since the commencement of the voyage, and upon it
was spread a variety of dainties of various kinds, the produce of our
raid upon the _Copernicus's_ provision lockers; and, of all things in
the world, a plentiful supply of delicious little cakes, smoking hot,
which Miss Ella's own dainty hands had prepared.

The tea, too, instead of being boiled in the kettle, as was our usual
practice, had been prepared in accordance with the most approved rules,