Alcott, Louisa May - SSC 11 by Glimpses of Louisa (v2.1) Page B

what they learned, remains to be told.
                            
"Come, Miss Bassett, we can't see them any longer, so we may as well begin
to enjoy ourselves. You might take those things down below, and settle the
stateroom a bit; I'm going to walk about and get my bearings before lunch. You
will find me somewhere round."
                            
Ethel spoke with a little tone of command, having made up her mind to be
mistress and keep Jane Bassett in her place, though she did know three
languages and sketched much better than Miss Amory.
                            
Jenny, as we who are going to be her bosom friends will call her, nodded
cheerfully, and looked about for the stairway; for, never having been on a
steamer before, she was rather bewildered.
                            
"I'll show you the way, my dear. I always get my things settled at once,
as one never knows when one may have to turn in. The Professor will go with
you, Ethel; it is not proper for you to roam about alone;" and with that
hint Mrs. Homer led the way below, privately wondering how these young persons
were going to get on together.
                            
Jane swallowed her "heimweh" in silence, and bestirred herself so
well that soon the stateroom looked very cosy with the wrappers laid ready, the
hanging bags tacked up, and all made ship-shape for the ten days' trip.
                            
"But where are YOUR comforts? You have given Ethel all the room, the lower
berth, and the best of everything," said Mrs. Homer, popping in her head
to see how her quiet neighbor got on.
                            
"Oh, I live in my trunk; I didn't bring half as many little luxuries as
Ethel did, so I don't need as much room. I'm used to living in corners like a
mouse, and I get on very well," answered Jane, looking very like a mouse
just then, as she peeped out of the upper berth, with her gray gown, bright
eyes, and quick nod of contentment.
                            
"Well, my dear, I've just one word of advice to give you. Don't let that
child tyrannize over you. She means well, but is wilful and thoughtless, and it
is NOT your duty to be made a slave of. Assert yourself and she will obey and
respect you, and you will help her a great deal. I know all about it; I was a
companion in my youth, and had a hard time of it till I revolted and took my
proper place. Now let us go up and enjoy the fine air while we can."
                            
"Thank you, I will remember;" and Jane offered the good lady her arm,
with a feeling of gratitude for such friendliness, all being new and strange to
her, and many doubts of her own fitness for the position lying heavy at her
heart.
                            
But soon all was forgotten as she sat on deck watching the islands,
lighthouses, ships, and shores glide by as she went swiftly out to sea that
bright June day. Here was the long-cherished desire of her life come to pass at
last, and now the parting with mother and sisters was over, nothing but
pleasure remained, and a very earnest purpose to improve this unexpected
opportunity to the uttermost. The cares of life had begun early for little
Jane, she being the eldest of the three girls, and her mother a widow. First
came hard study, then a timid beginning as nursery governess; and as year by
year the teaching of others taught her, she ventured on till here she was
companion to a fine young lady "going abroad," where every facility
for acquiring languages, studying history, seeing the best pictures, and
enjoying good society would all be hers. No wonder the quiet face under the
modest gray hat beamed, as it turned wistfully toward the unknown world before
her, and that her thoughts were so far away, she was quite unconscious of the
kind eyes watching her, as