I havent the pleasure of knowing you, sir, he said haughtily.
Im glad of that, because Im Edmund Trevelyan at the moment, and was just hoping I should meet no one on board who would recognise me.
I dont know Edmund Trevelyan, and have no wish to make his acquaintance, returned the other coldly.
Thats quite all right, and your wish does you credit. Trevelyan has no desire to force his friendship on any man. Nevertheless, Jack, time was when I helped you out of a hole, and, if occasion arose, I should be glad to do it again.
You could have prevented my expulsion from the Camperdown Club, had you but cared to raise a finger, said the other hotly.
Hazel, you are mistaken. I did all I could for you, as in other crises of the same nature. The committee proved to be adamant, and rather prided themselves on their independence, as if they were a group of blooming Radicals. The House of Lords isnt what it was, Jack, as, alas, you may learn, should you ever come into the title of your family, although many people stand between you and it at the present moment. Indeed, Jack, it has been on my conscience that my urgent advocacy prejudiced your case instead of helping it.
Ah, well, thats all past; it doesnt matter now, said the other, with a sigh. I have shaken the dust of England for ever from my feet.
The mud, you mean.
Oh, I admit I wallowed in the mud, but it was dust when I left London this morning. Ah, were off! I must be going. And he moved away from the rail of the ship, where he had been gazing over the side.
Going? Where?
Where I belong. Im travelling third-class. The moment the steamer gets under way, I have no right on the cabin deck. Before she left, I took the liberty of a sightseer to wander over the steamship.
My dear Jack, said his former friend, in a grave voice, this will never do; you cannot cross the Atlantic in the steerage.
I have visited my quarters, and find them very comfortable. I have been in much worse places recently. Steerage is like everything else maritime like this bewilderingly immense steamer, for example vastly improved since Robert Louis Stevenson took his trip third-class to New York.
Well, it is a change for a luxury-loving person like my friend the Hon. John Hazel.
It is very condescending of you to call me your friend. Nobody else would do it, replied the Hon. John bitterly.
Condescension be hanged! Im rather bewildered, thats all, and wish for further particulars. Are you turning over a new leaf, then?
A new leaf? A thousand of them! I have thrown away the old book, with its blotches and ink-stains. Im starting a blank volume that I hope will bear inspection and not shock even the rectitude of the Camperdown Committee.
Whats the programme?
I dont quite know yet; it will depend on circumstances. I think its the West for me sort of back-to-the-land business. I yearn to become a kind of moral cowboy. It seems the only thing Im at all equipped for. I can ride well and shoot reasonably straight.
I thought, said Stranleigh, that phase of life had disappeared with Bret Harte. Is there any money in your inside pocket?
How could there be?
Then why not let me grub-stake you, which I believe is the correct Western term.
As how, for instance?
Ill secure for you a comfortable cabin, and you will pay the damage when you strike oil out West, so, you see, theres no humiliating condescension about the offer.
Im sure there isnt, and its very good of you, Stranleigh, but I cant dress the part.
Thats easily arranged. Ponderby always over-dresses me. His idea of this world is that there is London, and the rest of the planet is a wilderness. You could no more persuade him that a decent suit might be made in New York than that I am the worst-dressed man in London. You and I are about the same height and build. Ponderby will have in my mountainous luggage anywhere from twenty-five to forty suits never yet worn by me. I dont know on what principle he goes, but as the last time we went to America he took twenty-five new suits, and we crossed in a twenty-five thousand ton boat, he is likely to have at least forty-five suits for this forty-five thousand ton steamship, and he will feel as much pleasure in rigging you out as he took in the crowning of the new King.
Very good of you, Stranleigh, but I cannot accept.
I am pleading for Ponderbys sake. Besides, theres one practical point you have overlooked. If you attempt to land from the steerage travelling under an assumed name, I suppose
Like yourself, Stranleigh.
No, I own the name Trevelyan. But, as I was saying, if you attempt to land rather shabbily dressed and almost penniless, you will find yourself turned back as an undesirable alien, whereas you can go ashore from the first cabin unquestioned, save for those amazing queries the U.S.A. Government puts to one, the answers to which Ponderby will be charmed to write out for you.
Hazel without reply walked back to the rail, leaned his arms on it, and fell into deep thought. Stranleigh followed him.
Give me your ticket, he said.
Hazel took it from his pocket and handed it over.