The Pattersons and Miss Helen

Aboard the Rameses the Great Marjorie met all sorts of people, most of whom would accompany her throughout her trip. In addition to her chaperone Miss Helen and her Egyptian guide Mahomet—whom she greatly reveres—Marjorie meets all sorts of characters. First is Miss Patterson, a lady from California traveling with (and caring for) her elderly parents and aunt. Marjorie develops a close relationship with her; she acted as Marjorie’s chaperone whenever Miss Helen was unavailable. While on the Rameses her and Miss Patterson had “great fun together over peoples’ ‘identities.” Upon parting ways Marjorie notes,

Peggy Perkins and Mahomet aboard the Rameses the Great

It makes me sad to speak of Miss Patterson, for I don’t suppose I shall ever see her again and she’s such a dear little lady.  We planned to meet in Florencebut I haven’t heard a thing of them since they left us to go to the Holy Land.  I do hope all has gone well with them. Its the saddest part of traveling to meet so many lovely people and probably never see them again.

Miss Patterson

She continues by listing all of her favorite people onboard the ship. There was Peggy Perkins, some ‘charming English girls’, Professor Shaler and his wife from Harvard, and a party of girls chaperoned by a Miss Spring. That being said Marjorie succinctly introduces her next topic to her mother, “so much for the nice side of the ship. Now for the reverse.” Here Marjorie lets loose the humorous and witty side of her personality.

First & foremost in size & importance is the “fat lady”.  She climbs all the mountains aided by two dragomans and to see her on a little black donkey gives food to ones visibles for a week.  And then there is a party of two Belgians & two Italians, a lady and three men.  We presumed she must be the wife of one, but which we never could make out! . . . And then, of course, there are the “fiancés” who hold hands & take up the whole stern every evening, and play hearts all the day, and insist that their donkeys shall be of the same family! There are other people of course – some families from Chicago who are common and rude as can be and rich enough to know better.  I don’t even like to talk about them. We really have some awfully nice people on board & some that are at least amusing to watch.

Peggy Perkins

Perhaps ‘amusing to watch’ is what she meant earlier by her and  Miss Patterson having fun over peoples’ ‘identities’. The rude families from Chicago clearly offends her, but in general Marjorie keeps a sense of humor throughout her trip. The peculiar and funny people she meets just adds to the excitement of Egypt!