THE RED SEA 



SUEZ is indeed the gateway to the East. In the 

 Mediterranean often the sea is rough, the 

 winds cold, passengers are not yet acquainted and 

 hug the saloons or the leeward side of the deck. 

 Once through the canal and all is changed by magic. 

 The air is hot and languid; the ship's company down 

 to the very scullions appear in immaculate white; 

 the saloon chairs and transoms even are put in 

 white coverings; electric fans hum everywhere; 

 the run on lime squashes begins; and many quaint 

 and curious customs of the tropics obtain. 



For example; it is etiquette that before eight 

 o'clock one may wander the decks at will in one's 

 pajamas, converse affably with fair ladies in pigtail 

 and kimono, and be not abashed. But on the stroke 

 of eight bells it is also etiquette to disappear very 

 promptly and to array one's self for the day; and it is 

 very improper indeed to see or be seen after that 

 hour in the rather extreme negligee of the early 

 morning. Also it becomes the universal custom, or 



31 



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