"I should like immensely to take a look at the sea front."
"It's a beautiful promenade," said Dora. "It seems a shame you can't see it."
"Couldn't we just run down to the end of the road, and have one peep?"
"What about Blanche and Freda? They'd never let us."
"They wouldn't see us go out at this door, and we should be back before they were."
"All right! I'm ready, if you are."
"There can't be any harm in walking a hundred yards," added Phœbe. "Come along, Myfanwy!"
With one accord the four girls rushed out of the post office and tore down to the sea front. The promenade looked most inviting. The spell of warm weather had brought a number of autumn visitors to Chetbourne, so that there was quite a revival of the season. Children were digging on the sands, the seats and the shelters were full of people reading or chatting, and the constant stream of parasols, white flannels, and light dresses passing up and down opposite the Marine Hotel again suggested the month of August, rather than October.
"I believe the niggers are still here!" exclaimed Myfanwy excitedly. "Or perhaps they went away, and have come back again. Don't you see them at that corner by the tea-rooms?"
"There's certainly somebody with a banjo," said Phœbe. "I can't see for the crowd. Oh! I caught a glimpse then of a tall white hat and a red-striped jacket."