"Oh, and could we see where we sleep?" asked Ruth.
"The staterooms? Yes, of course," said Captain Brisco, who with Mr. Pertell came forward just then. "Jepson, take the ladies below. If you're a sailor you don't need to be told the way."
"No, sir," was the respectful answer. Jack seemed to have acquired new dignity since coming aboard; and it was noticeable, a little later, that he took more pains with his talk, being more grammatical, and pronouncing his words better, as befitted a mate.
"And I want to see where they do the cooking," remarked Ruth. "What is it they call it--the alley?"
"The galley," corrected Alice. "Don't you remember?"
"Oh, yes, so it is. What a funny name for a kitchen."
"This way," directed Jack, as he started for the companionway. Meanwhile Mr. Pertell and Captain Brisco having settled on certain details, called Mr. DeVere into consultation, since that actor was to have a prominent part in the scenes that would take place aboard the ship.
Jack Jepson led his two pretty charges below, where some men were also at work. They inspected the sleeping quarters, the galley and other parts of the ship. Then, at the suggestion of Alice they penetrated to the men's quarters--the forecastle, or "fo'cas'l," as Jack pronounced it, sailor-fashion.
As they passed two carpenters doing some "patch-work," Jack paused and looked closely at what they were doing. Suddenly he turned to Alice and asked:
"Is this craft to make a voyage all by herself?"
"A short one--yes," Alice answered, for she had looked over the scenario. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothin'--nothin'--," answered Jack Jepson. "Only, oh, well, I s'pose it's all right," he went on. But as he led the way forward Ruth noticed a look of worriment on the face of the old sailor. It was so evident that it startled her--the more so as she heard him murmur:
"Going all by herself; eh? Well, she certainly needs a consort."
Ruth took advantage of the first opportunity to question Sailor Jack Jepson. The memory of that look on his face haunted her. But it was not until they had come from the _Mary Ellen_ that Ruth found her chance.
While on board, arrangements had been made for taking some of the preliminary scenes of the marine drama, and Mr. Pertell urged Captain Brisco to hasten, as much as he could, the preparations for the voyage.