THE RELUCTANT VOYAGERS
CHAPTER I
Two men sat by the sea waves.
“Well, I know I’m not handsome,” said one gloomily. He was poking holes in the sand with a discontented cane.
The companion was watching the waves play. He seemed overcome with perspiring discomfort as a man who is resolved to set another man right.
Suddenly his mouth turned into a straight line.
“To be sure you are not,” he cried vehemently.
“You look like thunder. I do not desire to be unpleasant, but I must assure you that your freckled skin continually reminds spectators of white wall paper with gilt roses on it. The top of your head looks like a little wooden plate. And your figure—heavens!”
For a time they were silent. They stared at the waves that purred near their feet like sleepy sea-kittens.
Finally the first
