"We must have it somewhere on the beach," said Beryl; "it would never do to bring the children into the house. Aunt Cecilia would be in a rage. Oh, I know what, Coral. There's that cave which runs such a long way back, that would do splendidly. The rock at the entrance would do nicely to put our books on, and the children could sit on the ground, or stand. Yes, that is the very thing."
"But the cave is sometimes full of water," suggested Coral.
"Yes, when the tide is high," said Beryl; "but it is very often empty, and when it is high water we must go somewhere else. Come, Coral, let us run and have a look at it, and then we will try and find some nice little children, and ask them to come to us there next Sunday afternoon."
The appearance of the cave was considered to be satisfactory, on the whole, for though its walls were damp and slimy with seaweed, Beryl declared that no one need sit close to them, and the rock in the middle would do equally well for a table or a seat.
Having decided on the place of meeting, Beryl set to work to form a class. There were a number of children playing rather noisily at the further end of the beach. She walked towards them, followed by Coral, and as the young ladies drew near, the rougher children ceased their play, and stared wonderingly at them. Beryl was always very dignified in her approaches to the fisher-folk and their children, but at the same time, she was gracious, and the young people of Egloshayle admired the young lady greatly, though they stood rather in awe of her.
When Beryl, addressing one of the little ones, began to explain her scheme for a Sunday class, the child shrank away frightened, and would say nothing but "No" in reply to her invitation. The others to whom she spoke were just as unresponsive. This was discouraging, but Beryl, undaunted, proceeded to take the elder sisters into her confidence, and got them to promise to bring the little ones to the cave on the following Sunday afternoon. Then, contented with the arrangement they had made, she and Coral went home.
During the rest of the week, Coral and Beryl talked and thought of little else but the Sunday class. They did not say a word about it to Lucy, for fear she should oppose their plans; but whenever they were alone they discussed the matter at great length. They hunted through the house for books suitable to read to their Sunday scholars, but could find hardly any that seemed of the right kind. Many a book was thrown aside, because the words were too long and difficult, and the matter they expressed was often quite beyond the comprehension of those who were taking upon themselves the work of teachers. At last, Beryl decided that it would be best to dispense with all books except the Bible and Lucy's hymn-book, which she lent them readily enough, without asking any questions as to the purpose for which it was required.
The children watched the sky with some anxiety on Saturday afternoon. How annoying it would be if rain came and spoiled all!
But Sunday dawned fair and bright, and the children's hearts beat high at the thought of their grand undertaking. Lucy took them to church in the morning, and she thought she had never known them so restless and fidgety. Miss Beryl, who had so improved of late, seemed suddenly to have returned to all her tiresome ways. The fact was the children were impatient for the long service to be over, and the afternoon to come.
As soon as they could, after dinner, Coral and Beryl escaped from Lucy's care, and went into the garden. From the garden, they soon made their way to the beach, and hurried along in the direction of the cave.