John had been late in applying for his passage, and in consequence, the ship being very full, had had to take what berth he could get, which happened to be in the second cabin.

The occupants of these quarters, however, were not rated as second-class passengers.

The Vaterland took none such on her outward voyages, and all were on the same footing as to the fare and the freedom of the ship.

The captain and the orchestra appeared at dinner in the second saloon on alternate nights, and the only disadvantage in the location was that it was very far aft; unless it could be considered a drawback that the furnishings were of plain wood and plush instead of carving, gilding, and stamped leather.

In fact, as the voyage proceeded, our friend decided that the after-deck was pleasanter than the one amidships, and the cozy second-class smoking-room more agreeable than the large and gorgeous one forward.
Consequently, for a while he rarely went across the bridge which spanned the opening between the two decks.