The balmy air was so soft and fresh, and the intense silence all around so profound.

Unfortunately there was a full moon.

I say "unfortunately," because the flood of pale light suggested to these dreadful young men the feasibility of having what they called a "servant's ball." In vain I declared that the housekeeper was never expected to dance.

"Oh, yes!" laughed Captain George.

"I've often danced with a housekeeper, and very jolly it was too.