"Yes, we must not be too late in getting home; we will stop at one of the little tea-shops near the boat-landing."
It was a neat little cottage which they selected, covered with vines, with a small flower-garden in front. The pleasant-faced hostess soon brought in a big tea-tray covered with a dainty cloth on which was a big pot of tea, cut bread and butter, and delicious strawberries, such as only grow in England. "Nearly as big as my fist," declared Clarence, but this was perhaps putting it rather strongly, though each one made a big mouthful as the young folk ate them, dipping them first into sugar.
They sang songs as they rowed home, and the tunes were taken up by other boats full of young people out for the Saturday half-holiday.
"We have had such a lovely time; thank you so much, Miss Green," said the young Whitworths as they parted at their gate.
"It has been a nice day, and we will have some others, too, when Adelaide comes, won't we?" said Edith.
CHAPTER III.
A DRIVE TO RICHMOND AND KEW GARDENS
Adelaide Stamford was Edith's first cousin and lived in London. She was not as strong as Edith, and during the winter her mamma had taken her to Brighton, which is the great winter seaside resort. Although it is also a very fashionable place, many invalids go there to enjoy the warm sunshine. Adelaide was taken up and down the fine promenade in a bath chair, which is a kind of big baby-carriage which a man pulls, or pushes along. She also sat in the glass "shelters" along the sea front, which keep off the wind nicely, and are like small glass houses.