The dinner in camp that night was quite a joyous festival. Nigel brought back two duck, Ibrahim made a fine fire of brushwood to warm the eager sportsman, and Ruby was in amazing spirits. She played to perfection the part of ardent housewife. She came and went in the sand, presiding over everything. She even penetrated into the cook's tent with Ibrahim to give Mohammed some hints as to the preparation of the duck.
"This is your holiday," she said to Nigel. "I want it to be a happy one. You must make the most of it, and go out shooting all the time. They say there's any amount of jackals down there in the tamarisk bushes. Are you going to have a shot at them to-night?"
Nigel stretched out his legs, with a long sigh of satisfaction.
"I don't know, Ruby. I should like to, but it's so jolly and cosy here."
He looked towards the fire, then back at her.
"I'm not sure that I'll go out again," he said.
"I dare say you're tired."
"No, that's not it. The truth is that I'm tremendously happy in camp with you. And I love to think of the desolation all round us, and that there isn't a soul about, except a few gipsies down there, and a few wild, half-naked fishermen. We've brought our own oasis with us into the Libyan Desert. And I think to-night I'll be a wise man and stick to the oasis."
She smiled at him.
"Then do!"
In the midst of her smile she yawned.
"I shall go to bed directly," she said.
She seemed to suppress another yawn.
"You mean to go to bed early?" he asked.
"Almost directly. Do you mind? I'm dog tired with the long camel ride, and I shall sleep like twenty tops."
She put her hand on his shoulder. Her whole face was looking sleepy.
"You old wretch," she said. "What do you mean by looking so horribly wide awake?"
He put his hand over hers, and laughed.
"I seem to be made of iron in this glorious country. I'm not a bit sleepy."
She stifled another yawn.
"Then I'll"--she put up her hand to her mouth--"I'll sit up a little to keep you company."
"Indeed, you shan't. You shall go straight to bed, and when you're safely tucked up I think perhaps I will just go down and have a look for the jackals. If you're going to sleep, I might as well--"
He drew down her face to his and gave her a long kiss.
"I'll put you to bed first, and when you're quite safe and warm and cosy, I'll make a start."