W. C. could not return to the United States with his mother, for he still needed to attend to some unfinished business, but plans were laid for Mary and the little girls to go without delay. Mary's health was failing. The growing symptoms of tuberculosis were frightening. For much of two years she had been working diligently in the new publishing house in Basel, a newly constructed stone building that was not well heated. She needed urgently to get to Battle Creek and under Dr. Kellogg's care. She and the girls would return with Ellen White, leaving Liverpool on August 4. Marian Davis remained in Basel to complete certain work. 3BIO 372.3
As the sailing was to be on Sabbath, Ellen White and her companions were allowed to embark and get settled on Friday. Actually quite a group of Adventists would be taking the ship. Some were ministers, bound for the General Conference session to be held in November, and some were young people—D. T. Bourdeau and his son Augustin, O. A. Olsen and son, and a Professor Kunz. Sara McEnterfer most likely occupied the cabin with Ellen White and Mary and the children. 3BIO 372.4