Melina was secretly delighted that it was so warm, for on that account she had been able to dispense with her shabby old jacket. She was looking very nice in her new serge frock and sailor hat; and, though her shoes were shabby, she had blacked them so carefully and managed to put such a polish on them that they did not show how much they were worn.
"I wonder what you'll think of the sea, Melina," said William; "I've been telling mother it'll be your first sight of it. You'll be able to get some pretty shells, if you like them, and—oh, here's father!"
Mr. Jones joined them, and, a minute later, their train ran into the station and they took their seats in it at once.
Melina sat next to Mrs. Jones, with Mr. Jones and William opposite. The father and son were wearing their best clothes, and the former had donned a sky-blue tie and put a flower in his button-hole.
"Now we're off!" said Mr. Jones, nodding at Melina, as the train began to move slowly out of the station.
She gave a low laugh expressive of intense delight, and, bending forward, whispered to him: "I've never been by train before!"
"You don't say so!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
"Never," the little girl said impressively, "this is the first proper holiday I've ever had."
"Then I hope you'll enjoy it, my dear," he answered; "it shall not be my fault if you don't."
Looking out of the window Melina noticed that the railway line ran parallel with the river, the Haw, which flowed by Hawstock and emptied itself into the sea at Hawmouth.