Anna recollected how her mother’s fears and entreaties had prevented Mr. Harewood from teaching Adrian to swim.
“Gent is floating him,” added the boy. “He took me first, because I could get over the rocks and get help soonest. He is a real gentleman, he is.”
Anna could not listen to anything but “The boat is coming!”
“Oh, but they don’t see! They are going away from it!”
“That’s the current,” said Mrs. Norris. “My man knows what he is about, and so does the gentleman, never fear.”
There was another terrible interval, and then boat and swimmers began to approach, though in what condition could not be made out. A dark little head, no doubt that of Fergus, was lifted in, then another figure was raised and taken into the boat; Gerald swam with a hand on it for a short distance, then was helped in, and almost at once took an oar.
“That’s right,” said Mrs. Norris. “It will keep out the cold.”
“They are not coming here,” exclaimed Anna. “They are going round the point.”
“All right,” was the answer. “‘Tis more direct, you see, no shoals, and the young gentlemen will get to their own homes and beds all the quicker. Now, miss, you will come in and take a cup of tea, I am sure you want it, and I had just made it when Norris saw the little lads.”
“Oh, thank you, I must get back at once. My little brother—”