She was still listening to Ugolina, who was mounting higher and higher up to heaven, when she found her hand in Charley's. Ugolina might now mount up, and get down again as best she could, for Katie could no longer listen to her.
Alaric had not seen her yet since her ducking. She had to listen to and to answer his congratulations, Charley standing by and making his comments.
'Charley says you took to the water quite naturally, and swam like a duck,' said Alaric.
'Only she went in head foremost,' said Charley.
'All bathers ought to do that,' said Alaric; 'and tell me, Katie, did you feel comfortable when you were in the water?'
'Indeed I don't recollect anything about it,' said she, 'only that I saw Charley coming to me, just when I was going to sink for the last time.'
'Sink! Why, I'm told that you floated like a deal board.'
'The big hat and the crinoline kept her up,' said Charley; 'she had no idea of sinking.'
'Oh! Charley, you know I was under the water for a long time; and that if you had not come, just at that very moment, I should never have come up again.'
And then Alaric went on, and Charley and Katie were left together.