Thur. 6. [6 January 1898] The Captain called Mr and Miss L. [Lamont]
and me to play a foolish game of disks on the deck. I presently
introduced Sir W.S. [Smith] Mr Northcote and M [Maurice] to it; then
the First Officer had rings of rope made for us to play with, we
borrowed golf clubs from a passenger, marked out a course and
were presently playing a golf foursome all over the deck. After lunch I
told stories to the children, played more golf, bÈzique with Mr L.,
piquet with Mr N. and finally paced the deck with M and Sir W.S. In the
evening we had a ball. The Ls did not come as they are in mourning.
After an awful moment of chill, it warmed up and became very
amusing. M was the life and soul of it. Sir W.S. danced all the
squares, the first one with Mrs Marescaux at my advice and the rest
with me. He was a perfect dear. The Captain walked about in a
nautical great coat, as pleased as punch, and ordered up ices[?] as if
he were ordering the ship's course; the little officers danced round
delightedly and at the end Sir WS and I, M. and Mr N. and the Captain
had an extremely cheery supper. There is a little half Spanish girl on
board, Miss Lyons who dances quite beautifully. [Dance card
attached to page.]