The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-11-04

come along and pointed out a most order
~ door-bell, the ringing OF which immedi-
ately brought porter to our relief. Just
absorb that a door-bell on a dock
When we Weakened to the sweet melody
of a cornet the following morning, We
were under full speed for Belgium. The
weather was glorious. and life seemed
/ filed with splendid things to do and see.
The women had come aboard with none
of the ideas some Americans entertain
that any old suit is good enough for deck
wear. These foreigners made many
changes during the day; white duck.
white shoes and sailor hat in the early
morning; pongee, perhaps, for luncheon,
with fetching hat and embroidered veil;
afternoon costume with long fur-lined
coat at tea time, and evening dress for
dinner. Every woman was accompanied
by her maid. which explains the ease
with which this frequent costuming was
effected. Jack commented upon the natty
appearance Of these maids, but the nurses
interested me more, and I never tired of
using up rolls of films photographing the
babies and their darling caretakers.
Among the latter were five big Chinese
women in broad trousers and waterfall
coiffures. never could tell one from the
other as they shufled about deck. grave
/ ~ pushing perambulatOrs or grading
sweet little infants in their strong arms.
/ The babies seemed very happy and con
tented and the nurses were faithful and
devoted, grooming lovingly in a sort OF
/ language better understood by the in
/ fants than by me. A singular sight to me
were two young Cinnamon nurses with
! bouncing baby boys in charge. They were
/ interchangeable entertainers. and I never
heard either OF the babies cry on deck.
One used 10 play contentedly with his
nurses cue. and explore his wide pockets
/ for humps Of sugar A sweet little Java
/ nese nurse, no larger than an eight-year-
old child, but wTinkled with years was in
| charge of four little Hollanders who
/ lived IN India. The family had been home
on visit and were taking back 10 India
/ a tiny little mite or a baby that the
I Jayanese carried in sling made Of a
/ hammOck-like scarf, caught over one
| shoulder. This was a very picturesque
/ little pair. and the three older apple
/ cheek boys held kindergarten on deck ev-
/ cry morning. They had an entire set of
| wicker furniture, little tables. upright
and steamer chairs sofas and chests for
4 toys They were the cIeaneSt and most
! squeezeable children imaginable. and their
mother never seemed to do anything but
/ look pretty. while the father started
games and conducted kindergarten. and
made himself agreeable 20 all the children
on board.
| Such a man is a boon on shipboard He
! got up concerts at which he sang barry
! tone love songs in Il weak voice. and ap-
plauded the assisting artists vigorously.
/ He loaned his field glasses and telescopes
and novels, and generally projected mis-
I amiability on the face Of the waters. He
/ pledged all the good-looking women in
| champagne every night at dinner and
what in0rdinate quantities Of the staff Of
/ life he viii have 10 consume some day
when all his bread cones back buttered,
! Jack took seventeen snapshots of the
/ HindOO nurse that was attached to a baby
born in Siam Of German parents It
wasn't prepossessing baby, but what it
lacked in looks was amply made I'D in
the appearance Of its sturdy little nurse.
We had not cast a glance upon her when
she came on board, but the first warm day
that she appeared in native undress, she
was deck attraction of the frs wa
ter She had short thick halr. melting
| eyes, and flesh like polished Econze. Her
sole attire was a low-cUt. sleeveless white
/ linen jacket that reached barely 10 the
waist line, and a short affair that was
not quite a skirt nor completely a pair Of
/ trousers. 1t was draped and tied In "a
! curious fashion. and was one day red. an
other green, and third yellow. This
] ri al
deck, with the baby on her lap. She
/ could not be induced 10 sit on the cabin
steps with the other nurses, or on chair.
but even took her meals on the floor.
crOwding close into the corner, where no
one passing could behold anything but
/ her back.
! You ought to see our seventeen pictures
of this precious little heather,
Afternoon tea on the Prinz Heinrich
consumed a charming hour 4 delightful
/ taDle was spread with bright silver and
thin china, and with tea. Chocolate. or Cof-
fee. the most amazing things in the way
] of pastries and cakes were served. Tiny
I tarts and cellars, and foamy sponge mo-
/ saiced with candied fruit, were some e the
good things we consumed, the while the
band discOursed operate airs. and people
laughed and chatted in groups. or Iounged
in steamer chairs to watch the panorama
Of q nearby coast, or the ships IF many
nations plying the waves
/ The captain usually appeared at this
hour, and went from group to group
adapting himself to the different Ian
/ guages. and pointing out the places of IN
terest- A large gazetteer. with embrncfvo
/ maps, had a table to itself. close TO the
tea urns, and this was a source Of never
failing study.
! Jack. who always deteSts afternoon teas
on shore, came TO regard this social hour
as one Of great enjoyment When we
had just settled to the comfort of the
| voyage, we came in sight Of AntwerD
The one tail cathedral spire-the mate to
which mas never been built-Dointed sky
ward like a finger The little German
bride began again her ecs.asies over
/ Spite. OF course. Antwerp or Bel
GUM, as whole, could mean nothing 10
her The place on the map represented
/ just Brussels, the place where Spite"
! lace comes down in showers upon any,
body with fat pOcketboOk ] was not
I surprised to see the hOneymooners in
! travelling garb, rush ashore directly the
+ gang plank was laid. They We're bound
/ for Brussels by the earliest train. and 7
knew they would return TO the steamer
only when the brides Unsuitable appetite.
for Spite" was appeased.
Jack said me. with 4 genuine air of
appreciation: Thank the Lord, Joan. YOU
are not like that
ANOTHER CHAPTER NEXT WEEK.
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