Sometime after midnight, Anna awoke and started to undress, so she could go back to bed more comfortably in her pajamas. Her growling stomach reminded her that she had fallen asleep without eating dinner. As she slowly became more awake, she realized that she had not heard her mother return. When she knocked on Melpomeni's bedroom door, she got no response and thought about going into the room to check. But then, her mother had done this before, so she was not too concerned.
Suddenly, a feeling of loneliness and abandonment overcame her and she began to cry. Her mind wandered to the past―memories of strict English governesses: masculine and cold; German and Swiss teachers: indifferent and insensitive; impersonal dormitories: packed with other well-to-do girls deposited there by wealthy parents. They lost all individual identity in their neatly tailored blue cotton vests and skirts. Anna vividly remembered how she longed for her mother whenever she was sick, and especially during that first, frightening menstrual period.
As she wiped her tears and blew her nose, her mind wandered back to warm summer afternoons on her uncle's private island. Swimming in the cool waters of the calm Aegean Sea, the loving smile of the motherly cook, and the aroma of honey macaroons wafted back. She remembered having a crush on her cousin Plato. He was just a few years younger, and they used to roam free all over the island, playing hide-and-seek and laughing wildly. Those were happy days. And then, her father would come, always bringing toys and her favorite chocolates, making her feel special. "Oh how I wish he were here now!" she thought.
She turned on the ship's mahogany faced radio, stopping at a lively jazz program. Humming a tune, Anna cheered up and started to take her clothes off as she walked to the bathroom for a quick shower. Refreshed, she picked out a chic white cotton dress that flowed to the floor, held together by a sash on her right shoulder that contoured her left breast and tied underneath her arm. "I'll go to the bridge to see if I can talk to Daddy on the ship's radio," she thought. "But maybe it's too early for him," she wondered to herself. "Anyway, I miss him," she finally decided.
"Miss Bouras, of course I will get hold of your father," chirped the officer in charge of the radio room, as he stood admiring Anna's beauty.
"Thank you, sir," Anna said graciously.
Shortly after the officer placed the call, the London operator connected Stavros Bouras' personal number to the ship's radio.
"Daddy, is that you?" Anna asked breathlessly as she took the receiver. "No, nothing is wrong. I just wanted to talk to you," she tried to hide her emotions. "Yes, I love the ship, but I wish you were here too. I don't know. What did you say? I meant to say I think she is sleeping. No, no. Everything is fine. Oh, Daddy, thank you. Your 'little girl' is fine, but tonight I felt very much like a 'big girl.' Just joking with you daddy. Want to know what I am wearing? That beautiful pearl necklace you gave me. I just adore it. I miss you so much, Daddy. I look forward to seeing you in New York. I love you too, Daddy. Bye. Over and out."