The note rose clear and strong; it rang out clear and far into the night and over the deserted island; it died into the distance until there only lingered in the porches of the ear a vibration that was sound no longer.

'Empty houses, empty sea, solitary beaches!' said Attwater.

'And yet God hears the bell! And yet we sit in this verandah on a lighted stage with all heaven for spectators! And you call that solitude ?' There followed a bar of silence, during which the captain sat mesmerised.
Then Attwater laughed softly.

'These are the diversions of a lonely, man,' he resumed, 'and possibly not in good taste.

One tells oneself these little fairy tales for company.