Picking up shells and seeing how near they could come to going into the ocean without actually getting wet, made the walk to the fishing pier seem short. It was a long pier and the end was black with people, all trying their luck with line and pole.
"Dad likes to fish from a boat," remarked Fred. "He said we could go with him, if he goes to-morrow."
"We can't go—I asked Mother," said Jess. "Just you boys, because girls don't go out. Ward says men have a better time fishing by themselves."
"Well, I should think they would," Polly declared. "I don't see any fun in catching fish, and Mother doesn't, either. So of course we wouldn't have a very good time."
"Fish are too smelly," said Margy, as though that settled the matter for her.
"Let's go back and have our meeting," Ward suggested. "I've just thought of a dandy riddle."
"We'll run, so you won't forget it," said Fred, wheeling suddenly and setting off down the beach at top speed.