This all seemed most convenient, and what with watching Emma pack the basket and with hunting up wraps the time went very rapidly and they were surprised to hear Mrs. Ramsey call to them, "Come along, children. Here comes Cap'n Si."
Although the sun was hot it did not seem so intolerable as it did at home, for here was the cool sea-breeze always blowing, and even the way to the beach did not seem an uncomfortable walk. Cap'n Si, a grizzly, toothless old man with a pleasant smile and twinkling blue eyes had already drawn his boat up on the sands when they reached him. He gave a quick nod of greeting as the three came up.
"These are my friends Dorothy Evans and Edna Conway," said Jennie.
Cap'n Si jerked his head to each one. "Glad to see ye," he said. "Where be ye going, Jinny?"
"We thought we would like to go to Shelly Beach. It isn't too far, is it?"
"No, 'm, 'tain't. Good weather, too. Hot down your way?" He turned to Edna to ask.
"It has been scorching hot," she told him, "but it wasn't quite so dreadful when we came away."
"Ever been to these parts before?"
"No, and we never saw the ocean, not the real ocean till now."
[49] Cap'n Si looked at her as if she were a strange species of animal. "Wal, I swan," he ejaculated. "Ain't it queer how folks kin live 'slong as that and not see the ocean," he said, turning to Jennie.