And then, sliding in the wet sand, she sat right down in
the lake and sent a wave of ripples right over her castle Page 61
But Mary Jane wasn’t used to working so close to the water and she forgot entirely where she was! Instead of stepping to one side, as she should have done, she stepped backwards—straight into the big lake! And then, sliding in the wet sand, she sat right down in the lake and sent a big wave of ripples—right over her castle and garden and lake and everything and washed it all away, every bit!
THE BEACH SUPPER
A minute before Mary Jane slid into the lake, the beach was a scene of busy building and fun. Linn tended the fire, the grown folks gathered wood and visited and guarded baskets and the children all were intent on their sand castles. But with Mary Jane’s tumble everything changed.
Sand flew helter skelter as the children jumped hastily and ran to Mary Jane’s assistance; castles were trampled on as though they didn’t exist and fire wood and baskets were all forgotten.
“Don’t be afraid, you’re all right!” called Mrs. Merrill as she ran toward her little girl.