Chapter 14 THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN!
　　THINGS began to happen the very next day. The ship was cruising along as usual in a purple-bluesea, and the sun shone down from a sky spread with dazzling white clouds and patches of brilliantblue.
　　Gulls¹ glided² by, and all kinds of other sea-birds bobbed on the water, or soared high above the ship.
　　Everyone was peaceful in their deck-chairs, reading or snoozing, waiting for the mid-morning drinkof iced lemonade brought by the stewards³. Even the children were lazing in their chairs, tired aftertheir strenuous⁴ morning game at deck-tennis.
　　Kiki sat on the back of Jack⁵'s chair, snoozing too. She had been chasing gulls, calling to them in avoice so like theirs that the poor things were completely bewildered. Now she was tired out. Mickywas curled up in the shade of a lifeboat, fast asleep.
　　A small page-boy appeared, the one who ran messages, and fetched odds⁶ and ends for the passengers.
　　He carried a long envelope on a salver.
　　He called out loudly as he went. "Radiotelegram for Mrs. Mannering, please. Radio for Mrs.
　　Mannering, please."
　　Philip nudged his mother, and beckoned⁷ to the call-boy. Mrs. Mannering looked up, startled to hearher name shouted out. The boy came up to her and presented the radiotelegram.
　　She tore it open, wondering who it was from. She read it out loud to the listening children.
　　Your aunt seriously ill and calling for you. Fly back if you can, and I'll take over the kids. Radio me,please.
　　BILL.
　　There was a silence. "Oh dear," said Mrs. Mannering. "This would happen on a cruise. What shall Ido? It's all very well for Bill to say 'Fly back.' But where from? And how can I leave you all?""Don't upset yourself, Mother," said Philip. "I'll see to things for you. I know the second officer verywell and he'll tell me what you're to do.""As for us, you needn't worry at all," said Jack. "You know we're all right on the boat. You wouldn'twant us all to fly back with you, surely!""Oh no. Of course not. Especially after I've paid such high fares for you all on this cruise," said Mrs.

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