It was when Rose and Leslie and Harry were resting after an exciting game, that Mrs. Sherwood and Princess Polly arrived.
Then the fun began.
Mrs. Sherwood went in to talk with Aunt Judith, and the four playmates ran over to the Grafton's for a game of tennis. And while they were playing, eagerly hoping to win, each trying to outdo the other, little Sprite Seaford sat in the odd little living room of her home, sorting her treasures, and at the same time thinking what a fine time Princess Polly must be having at Aunt Judith's cottage with Rose and her other playmates.
The pretty shells, the coral, and the star fish, each had places of their own, but they had been taken out to show to some callers the afternoon before, and Sprite was now engaged in replacing them, each in its own especial place.
Captain Seaford was out fishing and Mrs. Seaford had gone to the village to do a few errands so Sprite was free to take her time about the task.
Softly she sang as she placed the white shells in one row, and the pink shells in another.
A smart tap at the door made her start, then she called:
"Come in," and Gwen entered.
Sprite wished that she had not answered the rap.
"Goodness! What a heap of shells. What are you going to do with them? Going to keep them?" Gwen asked, in a manner that implied that she thought he lovely sea treasures simply rubbish.