"I suppose you know the Azores," ventured Irma.
"Oh, yes, the country was very primitive in the old days. The interior, they tell me, has changed little, but the cities are more up to date."
"Not large cities like ours in America, though Ponta Delgada is the third largest in Portugal. But there, young ladies of your age dislike guidebook information, at least out of school."
"Oh, please go on," begged Irma, and for half an hour her new friend talked delightfully about the Azores and other places.
"Ah, there's Uncle Jim," she exclaimed, as she saw her uncle approaching under one of the electric lights.
"I never thought of finding you out here alone," cried her uncle.
"Not alone," rejoined Irma, turning to introduce her new friend. But he had mysteriously disappeared.
"It is high time to come in, if the night air makes you see double," said Uncle Jim dryly. But Irma gave no explanations. How could she have introduced the old gentleman, when she did not know his name?
"Aunt Caroline says please hurry. They are in sight." Thus Marion's voice and repeated rappings waked Irma the next morning.
"Oh, dear," cried Irma, forgetting to thank Marion for his trouble. "Why," she wondered, "did I take this particular morning to oversleep?" Dressing at lightning speed, after a hurried repast she was soon on deck. Then, to her disappointment, there was nothing to see. The islands, wherever they might be, were veiled by a soft mist.
"They have been in sight for hours," some one said. Irma wished she had asked her steward to call her at dawn. Not until they were well upon Ponta Delgada did they have their first glimpse of St. Michael's toward noon, and the warmth of the sun was modified by the thin veil of mist. Gradually the mist dissolved, and not far away was the green shore, and behind, a line of low, conical mountains parallel with the coast. Then a white village appeared, and soon the spires and red roofs of Ponta Delgada.
Luncheon had been served early, and towards one o'clock the boat stopped, when still some distance from land. Large rowboats were pushing out from shore, and one or two tugs carrying the Portuguese flag.
"The tugs are bringing health and customs officers. We can't land until they have made their examination," Uncle Jim explained.