Though ostensibly confined to ladies' use, it was largely occupied also by gentlemen who did not enjoy the smoke which usually affects disagreeably the atmosphere of the cabin appropriated to their own sex.

Our young musician knew that to children the hearts and purses of ladies are more likely to open than those of gentlemen, and this guided him.
Entering, he found every seat taken.

He waited till the boat had started, and then, taking his position in the center of the rear cabin, he began to play and sing, fixing at once the attention of the passengers upon himself.
"That boy's a nuisance; he ought not to be allowed to play on the boat," muttered an old gentleman, looking up from the columns of the Evening Post.
"Now, papa," said a young lady at his side, "why need you object to the poor boy?
I am sure he sings very nicely.

I like to hear him." "I don't." "You know, papa, you have no taste for music.

Why, you went to sleep at the opera the other evening." "I tried to," said her father, in whom musical taste had a very limited development.