"Oh, Miss Rogers, and Bébita too! How nice to meet you. Are you going to the beach?"
Bébita explained our quest and said she was going to give it up—there wasn't a single lady-slipper left.
Miss Maitland's smile was kind and consoling:
"I could have told you that. They're gone for this year."
"Have you been looking for them?" Bébita asked.
No, Miss Maitland had been to the beach for a bath, and as the closed season for lady-slippers had begun, we turned back, Bébita and the Secretary in front, I meekly following. In answer to the child's questions Miss Maitland said she had taken a long swim, out beyond the raft.
Suddenly Bébita popped out with:
"Did you see my Daddy?"
There was a slight pause before she answered; when she did her voice was full of surprise:
"Mr. Price! Was he on the beach?"