506 The twilight at noon was distinctly brighter than it was yesterday. We notice the increase more than we did the decrease, but it is practically night at noon. The daylight will be usable for traveling several hours at mid day two weeks hence. May we be ready to use it then, is my most earnest prayer. 27 December. Monday Overcast, thick. Heavy S. E. wind. Temp. min. -19°; 9a.m. -14° ; noon -13° Very little light at noon. Extremely dis- greeable day. Bad for ice off the capes. Alakutski came into the dining room early this afternoon dressed up in a long overcoat and soft felt hat and with a book under his arm. He looked odd enough. The men in the forecastle had fixed him up and got him off as a joke. One of Lundtakis dogs lay against