"The girls are," said Marjorie, looking affectionately at her two "daughters."
"Oh, I'm not!" declared Mrs. Maynard; "I have a fearful toothache," and she held her cheek in her hand, and rocked back and forth, pretending dreadful pain.
"And I have the mumps!" announced Cousin Ethel, puffing out her pretty pink cheeks, to make believe they were swollen with that ailment.
"Well, you're a crowd of invalids!" said King; "I believe some fresh air would do you good. Out you all go, for a walk. Get your hats, kiddies, and be quick about it."
The grown-ups scampered away to get their hats, and the ladies put up their hair properly and took off their white aprons.
The two men discarded their big collars and ties, but the game was not yet over, and the group went gayly out and down toward the beach.
"May we go in bathing, Mother?" asked Mr. Maynard.
"Not in bathing, my son," returned Marjorie; "the waves are too strong. But, if you wish, you may all take off your shoes and stockings and go 'paddling.'"
However, none of the quartette of "children" accepted this permission, so they all sat on the sand and built forts.
"Now, I guess we'll all go to the pier, and get ice cream," said King. "How would you like that, kiddies?"