The purser came one day into the cabin,
and, touched to the heart by my misguided industry, offered me some
other kind of writing, 'for which,' he added pointedly, 'you will be
paid.' This was nothing else than to copy out the list of
passengers.
Another trick of mine which told against my reputation was my choice
of roosting-place in an active draught upon the cabin floor. I was
openly jeered and flouted for this eccentricity; and a considerable
knot would sometimes gather at the door to see my last dispositions
for the night. This was embarrassing, but I learned to support the
trial with equanimity.
Indeed I may say that, upon the whole, my new position sat lightly
and naturally upon my spirits. I accepted the consequences with
readiness, and found them far from difficult to bear. The steerage
conquered me; I conformed more and more to the type of the place, not
only in manner but at heart, growing hostile to the officers and
cabin passengers who looked down upon me, and day by day greedier for
small delicacies. Such was the result, as I fancy, of a diet of
bread and butter, soup and porridge.
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