Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. II.djvu/352

Rh smoking her pipe in the ladies' saloon when we entered it from the dining-hall in the afternoon. She sate in the middle of the room and puffed out the smoke vehemently, and looked as if she would set the whole world at defiance. The ladies looked at her, looked at each other, were silent and endured it for awhile; the smoke, however, became at length intolerable, and one whispered to another that something must be done to put a stop to this unallowable smoking.

Miss S. called the stewardess: “You must tell that lady that it is not permitted to smoke in this room.”

“I have told her so, Missis, but she takes no notice. It is of no use talking to her.”

Again they waited awhile to see whether the smoking lady would not pay attention to silent, but very evident, signs of displeasure. But no, she sate as unmoved as ever, and filled the room with smoke.

The lovely young Miss S. now summoned courage, advanced towards the smoker, and said in a very polite, but at the same time firm and dignified manner, “I don't know whether you have observed that your cabin has a door which opens on the piazza, andit would be much more agreeable for you, and for all of us, if you would smoke your pipe there.”

“No. I prefer smoking here in this room.”

“But it is forbidden to smoke here.”

“It is forbidden for gentlemen, but not for ladies.”

“It is forbidden to smoke here, as well for you as for anyone else; and I must beg of you, in the name of all the ladies present, that you will desist from so doing.”

This was said with so much earnestness, and so much grace at the same time, that the giant-woman seemed struck by it.

“No, well! wait a bit!” said she, angrily; and after she had vehemently blown out a great puff of