[40] "Take the little girls up to their room, Jennie," directed Mrs. Ramsey. "You will all have time for a nice dip in the sea before lunch time."
This was a very exciting prospect, for neither of the two had ever gone through the experience of sea-bathing.
"We have new bathing-suits," they told Jennie with pride.
"But they are in our trunks," suddenly exclaimed Dorothy, "and those haven't come yet."
"Never mind," replied Jennie, "I have two or three, so we need not wait."
However, the trunks did arrive before they had need to borrow, and the bathing-suits were easily found and hastily put on amidst much giggling and many exclamations, for it was such a new excitement it was impossible to do anything soberly. Then Jennie led the way down the back stairs and over a path at the rear of the house to the little stretch of beach. With many little squeals of apprehension, the two who lacked experience, ventured to the edge of the water, but Jennie dashed in, letting the waves completely cover her, and with such an example the other two soon became braver and began to enjoy themselves hugely. Indeed they were fain to remain longer than they should, but at last a maid came to say they must not stay in a moment longer as it was nearing time for lunch.
"I think it is perfectly lovely," said Edna as, with the water dripping down her bare legs, she entered [41]the little bath house where they exchanged their wet suits for dry clothing which the maid had brought down. "Do you go in every day, Jennie?"
"Just about," she replied.
"Even when it rains?"
"Oh, no, not then, unless it is a very gentle rain and it is not too cold."