Lucy came upon them at this point.

“Chester has promised to take my name,” explained the father.

“That will make it unnecessary for you to change yours,” said Chester, as he put his arm around her.

A week passed as rapidly as such golden days do.  Chester sent the latest news to Elder Malby.  Uncle Gilbert, always impatient, wrote from Kildare Villa, asking when they were “coming home.”  Captain Brown had made a number of trips of inspection to the docks to see how the loading of his ship was progressing.

At the captain’s invitation they all visited the vessel one afternoon.

“Why,” exclaimed Lucy in surprise, when she saw the steamer at the dock, “you have a regular ocean liner here.  I thought freight boats were small concerns.”

“Small! well, now, you know better.  Come aboard.”

He led the way on deck, and then below.

“This ship is somewhat old,” explained Captain Brown, “but she is still staunch and seaworthy.  As you see, she has once been a passenger boat, and in fact, she still carries passengers—­when we can find some who would rather spend twelve days in comfort than be rushed across in six or seven by the latest greyhounds.  I say, when we can find such sensible people,” repeated the captain, as he looked curiously at his guests.

The dining room was spacious, the berths of the large, roomy kind which the grasp for economy and capacity had not yet cut down.

“This is a nicer state room than I had coming over,” declared Lucy.  “Why can’t we return with Captain Brown?”

“I should be delighted,” said the captain.  “The booking offices are on Water Street.”

“When do you sail?” asked the father.

“In three days, I believe we shall be ready.”

“And your port?”

“New York.”

“Your cargo?”

“Mixed.”

“Any passengers?”

“A dozen or so—­plenty of room, you see.  We’ll make you comfortable, more so than on a crowded liner.  Think about it, Mr. Strong.”

“We shall,” said Lucy and her father in unison.

CHAPTER XIX.

And thus it came about that the party of three visiting with Captain Andrew Brown, decided to sail with him to New York.  A few more days on the water was of no consequence, except as Chester said to Lucy, to enjoy a little longer the after-seasickness period of the voyage.  As for Chester himself, he was very pleased with the proposition.

A visit to the company’s office in Water Street completed the arrangement.  “Yes,” said the agent, “we can take care of you.  There will be a very small list of passengers, which gives you all the more room.  Besides, it’s worth while to cross with Captain Brown.”