“Leave me to do the talking,” said Jack. “She’s been sent to find out how much we know, I’m sure.”
Mrs. Diaz came slowly over to them, holding a big sunshade over her head. She nodded to the children.
“You are very busy,” she said. “What are you doing?”
“Oh, playing about in George’s boat,” said Jack.
“You are often on the beach?” asked the woman, putting down her sunshade. “You play all the time here?”
“Nearly all,” said Jack. “We can’t when the tide is in.”
“Have you seen these exciting caves?” asked Mrs. Diaz, pointing to the caves with her sunshade. “Have you ever been in any, I wonder?”
“We don’t like them because they are dark and damp,” said Jack.
“Have none of the other children any tongues?” asked Mrs. Diaz, in a slightly sharp voice.
“They’re rather shy,” said Jack. “I’m their captain, anyway, so I do the talking.”