midnight
`` Thanks . '' `` Old Van had to hop back to New York on the eleven-fifteen , but we came on to glad with you anyway , '' Mr. Farraday was saying to Mrs. Trevor , with an ingenuous smile . `` Go to it , baby , '' commanded Trevor to his wife , as a rich negro melody began to fling its invitation against the roaring call of the ocean , and at his word Simone rose from the seat of Mrs. Trevor and slid out into the cleared space at the head of the steps . `` Just in time , '' commented Mr. Farraday under his breath , as he turned his chair to watch her drop her silk coat , and float out on the waves of sound just as she would later float on the waves of the ocean after she had plunged from the steps to lead the midnight bathing in the surf , for which the management of the inn paid her the sum of two hundred dollars per plunge . All of this gaiety and amusement was just a prelude to the ride home in the moonlight , which the Violet took with good Dennis Farraday and during which she discovered that there is such a thing as honor among men about poaching on other men 's preserves , and during which , also , the fate of Major Adair , Patricia , Roger , and old black Jeff hung in the balance . `` Just what are we racing ? '' she questioned as they flew along the beach with rubber tires that just skimmed the hard , white sand .