And Mr.
Juxon was walking up and down the deck in the afternoon, smoking a cigar--" "He never smokes, dear," interrupted Mrs.Goddard, glad to show Nellie that she was listening.
"Well, but he did then, because he said so," returned Nellie unmoved.
"And as he walked and looked out--sailors always look out, you know--he saw the most wonderful thing, close to the ship--the most wonderful thing he ever saw," added Nellie with some redundance of expression.
"Was it a whale, child ?" asked her mother, staring into the fire and trying to pay attention.
"A whale, mamma!" repeated Nellie contemptuously.

"As if there were anything remarkable about a whale! Mr.Juxon has seen billions of whales, I am sure." "Well, what was it, dear ?" "It was the most awfully tremendous thing with green and blue scales, a thousand times as big as the ship--oh mamma! What was that ?" Nellie started up from her stool and knelt beside her mother, looking towards the window.

Mrs.Goddard was deathly pale and grasped the arm of her chair.
"Somebody knocked at the window, mamma," said Nellie breathlessly.

"And then somebody said 'Mary'-- quite loud.

Oh mamma, what can it be ?" "Mary ?" repeated Mrs.Goddard as though she were in a dream.
"Yes--quite loud.