Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/294

Rh foot of some cypresses, but as she was not inclined for the walk, I seated myself by her and noticed clusters of small white flowers, which, surrounded by a garland of leaves, floated on the water like little flowery islands. I did not know their name, but had before observed them as we came up the river. As they grew on the water close to the shore, I examined them and found that the whole plant was fastened by merely one slender thread-like root to the soil at the bottom of the water. This was easily broken by wave and wind, and the plant with its white flowers in the midst of its circlet of leaves, like the “draba verna” was now proceeding on its foreign travels, the sport of wave and wind.

Our state on board the “Sarah Spalding” was somewhat perturbed this morning. A couple of young and very pretty girls who are on board, without their mother or any older friend, had by their giddiness and thoughtlessness caused two gentlemen to pay them unbecoming attentions, which led to our dominant lady's very proper interference. The young girls received a very suitable admonition from two of the elder ladies, who, however, were strangers to them, and one of the faulty gentlemen was publicly reprimanded by the captain of the steam-boat. He was an elderly man, and had such a good expression of countenance, that I could scarcely believe that he deserved the rebuke which he received, and which affected him so much, that he became ill.

It was with real pleasure that I heard the true and beautiful motherly reprimand which Mrs. W. H. gave the handsomest and, according to appearances, the most blameable of the young girls, and I saw with equal pleasure the manner in which the young girl received it. She stood silent before the elder lady, who had called her to her, and listened silently and respectfully; not a word, not a gesture, betrayed vexation or impatience; she seemed as if she would really let the good and wise words sink deep