Three Hours on French Soil . . .
Most people come aboard at Southend. Board- ing at Gravesend is altogether different, quieter and gentler. The Thames in the early morning, breakfast when the dining-room is almost empty, the Sunday papers before they arc crumpled and torn, reserving the best deck-chair and the best position, the approach to Southend pier by sea so that you can inspect the new passengers as they come aboard and feel established. This is the Royal Daffodil and the Sunday excursion to Calais. She can hold 2,500, but this is a poor season and today she is carrying only 500 or 600, though there is a crew of over one hundred to deal with them. For some it is their first, perhaps only. trip abroad, but for others it is an annual affair, either individually or with a works outing. Three hours on French soil. For most it is all they want. •
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