'That's the Commissioner - the head of the dockyard. He's a great man - a remarkably great man,' whispered the stranger in Mr Tupman's ear. The organisers of the ball took Sir Thomas Clubber and his family to the top of the room. The Honourable Wilmot Snipe, and other important gentlemen, came over to greet Sir Thomas' daughters while Sir Thomas Clubber stood up very straight, and looked at everyone as importantly as if he were a visiting king.

'Mr Smithie, Mrs. Smithie, and the Misses Smithie,' was the next announcement.

'What's Mr Smithie's job?' asked Mr Tracy Tupman.

'He works in the yard,' replied the stranger. Mr Smithie bowed very politely to Sir Thomas Clubber; and Sir Thomas Clubber nodded back politely in a very superior way.

Lady Clubber looked down at Mrs. Smithie and her family through her glasses but Mrs. Smithie was already looking down at Mrs. Somebody-else who was even less important, whose husband didn't even work in the dockyard.

Colonel Bulder, Mrs. Colonel Bulder, and Miss Bulder were the next people to arrive.