VOYAGE TO EGYPT 99 



confusion about this. At last it was evident that 

 we had eaten all the bread in the place, and a fresh 

 supply, which was at last obtained, was of infamous 

 quality. Mr. Gubbins and Dr. McWatt had steaks 

 which no ordinary knife would cut nor regulation 

 teeth masticate. Here was a moment when we all 

 seemed savage, and then, I am thankful to say, we 

 saw the humour of the situation — though at our 

 own expense — and burst out laughing. 



" Outside, the gold-braided porter ' hoped we 

 had enjoyed our luncheon.' Ye gods ! words could 

 not answer him, and we gave him a ' tip ' for his 

 skill and audacity. Here had we acted as the 

 veriest Innocents Abroad, and fallen into the hands 

 of the first * tout ' we came across ! It is strange, 

 not to say humiliating, for of course we found 

 afterwards there are plenty of good places in Mar- 

 seilles to lunch at ; while we had resorted to this 

 one, which was of a class where a mother with 

 baby complete (taking its natural nutriment) 

 could be present at a table near ours, and ap- 

 parently not out of place. We made our way back 

 to the ship, where coaling was going on, and our 

 cabins in consequence were locked up — coal dust 

 and misery all over the place ; but at dinner that 

 night we agreed with the chief officer that the ship 

 is the best place in Marseilles." 



