- car, I agreed not to ask damages for the inconvenience
when I purchased my tickets. Fortunately, these cut-*throat contracts are almost never enforced, but they could be enforced should necessity arise.
Friday, February 28.—This has been the most
miserable day I have ever spent at sea. A steady rain
began falling at daylight, and continued without intermission
until evening. The passengers were driven
from the upper deck, and congregated on one side of
the main deck, where the children made more noise
than ever. The dampness was of the penetrating kind
that reached our clothing and our rooms, and we could
not be comfortable anywhere. . . . About five
o'clock the rain ceased, and a boy went about beating
a gong. This was notice of a meeting of the general
Sports Committee in the music-room, to decide whether
the fancy dress ball arranged for tonight should be
given up on account of the rain. The vote was in favor
of going ahead with it. The sailors at once began arranging
the dry side of the deck into a ball-room, and
the passengers were forced to go to their cabins, or sit
in the smoking-room. . . . The fancy dress ball
proved to be more creditable than was anticipated.
Those who took part wore their costumes to dinner at
7 o'clock, and the children, nurses and stewards gathered
in the main hallway to see them go in. There were
about twenty-five costumes in all, nearly all of them
made on board. One young woman appeared as
"Topsy," and her feet were bare. Women usually
