“No, I have some time to my credit.”
As her surprised friends watched, Sim left them and hurried down across a stretch of smooth lawn toward the disused swimming pool.
“Too bad,” murmured Arden.
“What is?” asked Terry.
“I really think Sim feels more keenly than we realize about the pool. But she’s such a good sport. Look at her! Going to view the ashes of her hopes or the collapse of her dreams or something equally tragic.”
“Don’t let’s say anything about this,” proposed Terry. “If Sim cares so much, I’m sure she’d rather not talk about this little visit.”
Arden agreed and, taking Terry’s arm, they hurried into the hall.
Sim reached the pool building and tried to get some idea of the wreck within by peering through a window. But the sill was too high to afford a view, even if the window had not been made of heavily frosted glass, quite opaque.
Then she stepped back and gazed up at the copper and glass domed roof. Around the top of the building were set at intervals glazed tiles depicting nautical scenes. Dolphins were diving merrily as if to tantalize sea horses with necks proudly arched, and mermaids flicked their tails disdainfully at Father Neptune.
“I may as well try the door,” Sim murmured. “I’d like to see what it’s like inside, though it will probably break my heart!”