“No, it was no. 17 I was to have.”

“ No. 13 is a better cabin, sir⁠—larger.”

“I specially selected no. 17, and the purser said I could have it.”

“I’m sorry,” I said coldly. “But no. 17 has been allotted to me.”

“I can’t agree to that.”

The steward put in his oar.

“The other cabin’s just the same, only better.”