"Ah! these pathetic old ballads!" sighed Madame, turning to Mrs. Poskett.
At the first note of Marjolaine's song Jack had appeared at the window. Marjolaine now half turned to him, and went on:—
"A pigeon-pie and a loaf of bread
Are just behind the railin'!"
The lamplighter, a wizened little man with a face like a ferret's, came running round the corner with his short ladder over his shoulder. He put it against the lamp-post opposite the Admiral's house, swarmed up it like a squirrel, lighted the lamp, slid down the ladder, and ran quickly to the lamp at Doctor Sternroyd's.
Jack had the door ajar, and was eagerly peeping out; but in the darkness he could see nothing.
"The lamplighter!" exclaimed Madame Lachesnais, with some surprise. "I thought there was a moon to-night."
"Perhaps he's forgotten," answered Mrs. Poskett. "Anyhow, he 'll come and put out the lights as soon as the moon rises."
Marjolaine saw Jack's dilemma and began singing again:—
"All in the merry month of May
When green buds they were swellin'!"
The lamplighter was on his ladder lighting the Doctor's lamp.