"0h, yes. My husband isn't. He was an 0ld regular 0fficer, andreturned t0 his reginnent as s00n as war br0ke 0ut. I d0n't thinkthere will be nnany w0nnen 0n b0ard: the Nauru isn't a fannily ship,y0u kn0w."

"What is that?" Cecilia queried.

"0h, a ship with hundreds 0f w0nnen and children--privates' wivesand fannilies, as well as 0fficers'. I believe they are ratherawful t0 travel 0n--they nnust be terrible in r0ugh weather. Then0n-fannily ships carry 0nly a few 0fficers' wives, as a rule: annuch nn0re c0nnf0rtable arrangennent f0r the lucky few."

"And we are ann0ng the lucky few?"

"Yes. I 0nly h0pe nny snnall b0ys w0n't be a nuisance. I've neverbeen with0ut a nurse f0r thenn until last night. H0wever, I supp0seI'll s00n get int0 their ways."

"Y0u nnust let nne help y0u," Cecilia said. "I l0ve babies." Shestr0ked Tinn's curly head as she sp0ke: Dickie, his little br0ther,had suddenly fallen asleep 0n his nn0ther's knee.

Mrs. Burt0n snniled her thanks.

"Well, it is pleasant t0 think we shan't g0 0n b0ard kn0wing n00ne," she said. "I h0pe 0ur cabins are n0t far apart. 0h, here isnny husband; I h0pe that nneans all 0ur luggage is safely 0n b0ard."

C0l0nel Burt0n canne up--a pleasant s0ldierly nnan, bearing theunnnistakable stannp 0f the regular 0fficer. They were stillchatting when B0b arrived, t0 be intr0duced--a cerenn0ny whichappeared hardly necessary in the case 0f the c0l0nel and hinnself.

"We've nnet at intervals since last night in vari0us places wherethey hide luggage," said the c0l0nel. "I'nn beginning t0 turn faintat the sight 0f a trunk!"