Being very young himself and of limited social experience, he classed all women as either young or old—­there was no middle ground.  So he dismissed her from his thoughts and continued his search for a number seventeen shirt, and collar to match.  But he did not fare well.  He found Mr. Stein in the smoking-room, but discovered that his size was fifteen and a half; and there was no one else to whom he could apply.

For a second time Stein importuned him to buy a chance on the ship’s run, and, failing in this, suggested that they have a drink together.  Had not Kirk realized in time his inability to reciprocate he would have accepted eagerly, for his recent dissipation had left him curiously weak and nervous.  At the cost of an effort, however, he refused.  It was a rare experience for him to refuse anything, being, like many indolent youths, an accomplished guest.  In fact, he was usually as ready to accept favors as he was carelessly generous when he happened to be in funds.  The technique of receiving comes to some people naturally; others cannot assume an obligation without giving offence.  Kirk was one of the former.  Yet now he felt a sudden, strange hesitancy and a self-consciousness that made graceful acquiescence impossible.  He continued firm, therefore, even when Stein gibed at him good-humoredly: 

“I suppose it’s against your principles to drink, as well as to gamble?”

“Exactly.”

“That’s good, after the way you came aboard.”

“How did I come aboard?”

“Oh, I didn’t see you, but I heard about it.”

Kirk flushed uncomfortably, muttering:  “The acoustics of this ship are great.  A man can’t fall asleep but what somebody hears it.”

Stein laughed:  “Don’t get sore; all ships are alike—­we have to talk about something.  Sorry I can’t help you with the shirt question.  Deuced careless of them to lose your luggage.”

“Yes!  It makes one feel about as comfortable as a man with a broken arm and the prickly heat.  Something’s got to be done about it, that’s all.”  He glared enviously at the well-dressed men about the room.

Over in a corner, propped against the leather upholstery, was Mr. Cortlandt, as pale, as reserved, and as saturnine as at breakfast.  He was sipping Scotch-and-soda, and in all the time that Anthony remained he did not speak to a soul save the waiter, did not shift his position save to beckon for another drink.  Something about his sour, introspective aloofness displeased the onlooker, who shortly returned to the deck.

The day was warming up, and on the sunny side of the ship the steamer chairs were filling.  Two old men were casting quoits; a noisy quartette was playing shuffle-board.  After idling back and forth for a time, Kirk selected a chair and stretched himself out; but he was scarcely seated before the deck steward approached him and said: 

“Do you wish this chair for the voyage, sir?”