August had enjoyed the dodo, but the nkwobi had been slightly too spicy for him — not that he wanted to admit as much to the elder Miss Adebayo. Hosting the ball outside was a nice touch, as were the presence of stars in the sky at Skyfall. August was glad that his cufflinks this evening were silver — they were a nice touch for something outside, for all that he had not made any significant plans while choosing his outfit for the evening.

He smiled at Miss Adebayo's question. ''I'm not much of a dancer,'' August said, tapping his cane against the ground by way of explanation. ''And yourself?"