She was one of a mob following the band of the Third Berkshire Infantry, then in camp at Sandgate.

There was an ecstatic, far-away look in her eyes.

She was dancing rather than walking, and with her left hand she beat time to the music.
"Ethelbertha was with me at the time.

We stared after the procession until it had turned the corner, and then we stared at each other.
"'Oh, it's impossible,' said Ethelbertha to me.
"'But that was my hat,' I said to Ethelbertha.
"The moment we reached home Ethelbertha looked for Amenda, and I looked for my hat.

Neither was to be found.
"Nine o'clock struck, ten o'clock struck.