the after-wheel house vacant we can have a splendid view of the
phosphorescence."

"Is it so much in demand that the place is generally crowded?" she
asked.

"I may tell you in confidence," replied Mr. Morris, "that this
particular portion of the boat is always very popular. Soon as the
evening shades prevail the place is apt to be preempted by couples that
are very fond of----"

"Phosphorescence," interjected the young lady.

"Yes," he said, with a smile that she could not see in the darkness, "of
phosphorescence."

"I should think," said she, as they walked towards the stern of the
boat, "that in scientific researches of that sort, the more people who
were there, the more interesting the discussion would be, and the
more chance a person would have to improve his mind on the subject of
phosphorescence, or other matters pertaining to the sea."

"Yes," replied Morris. "A person naturally would think that, and yet,
strange as it may appear, if there ever was a time when two is company
and three is a crowd, it is when looking at the phosphorescence that
follows the wake of an ocean steamer."

"Really?" observed the young lady, archly. "I remember you told me that
you had crossed the ocean several times."