"Why don't you answer my question?" demanded the thin woman. "What are you doing on these premises?"
"Why, nothin' in particular, ma'am. I was just tryin' to take a little walk and not makin' a very good job at it."
There was an interruption here. The full moon broke in to ask a question of its own.
"Who is he? What's he talkin' about?" it demanded.
"I don't know who he is—yet."
"Well, what's he talkin' about? Make him speak louder."
"I will, if you give me a chance. He says he is taking a walk. What are you taking a walk in here for? Don't you know it isn't allowed?"
"Why, no, ma'am, I didn't. In fact I didn't realize I was in here until I—well—until I got here."
"What is he sayin'?" demanded the moon-face again, and somewhat testily. "I can't hear a word."
Now the captain's tone had been at least ordinarily loud, so it was evident that the plump woman's hearing was defective. Her curiosity, however, was not in the least impaired.