The island was not more than an eighth of a mile wide at this end, and the shrubbery in the middle, between the two strips of shore, was not properly a “jungle,” for it was easily penetrated even by Tess and Dot Kenway.
Dot, however, was not as sturdy as her sister. Nor was she so much interested in the strange things they saw. In fact, Dot was a very practical little thing, and nothing, no matter what, suited her unless it was just what she was used to in and about the old Corner House.
“Aren’t these shells pretty?” cried Tess, gathering pearl-lipped shells on the strand and loading her apron with them.
“We have shells at home,” said Dot, in her blasé way. “Mrs. MacCall’s got one as big as that for a sugar scoop.”
“Oh! Well! So she has,” admitted Tess. “But maybe she’d like a new one.”
“What for?” asked the exasperating Dot. “They never wear out, I guess.”
The sun began to get hot and there was no longer a breeze. Even Tess considered the shade of the dwarf palms preferable to the open beach. Dot, nursing her Alice-doll, sat down on a stone as soon as Tess called a halt, and emitted a sigh of relief.
“Well, anyway!” she remarked. “I’m glad you want to wait a while, Tess Kenway. You know, we don’t have to see everything on this island in one day.”
“Maybe we have,” rejoined her sister quickly. “If Mr. Howbridge and the boys get the engine fixed, we’ll go right back to the hotel. Ruth says so. I need a clean pair of stockings.”
“Well, my Alice-doll ought to have her clothes changed,” admitted Dot. “I guess we’ll not have to stay here much longer. Or maybe a steamship will come for us. I——”