Laddie, after watching the fun for a minute or two, suddenly rushed off with a bark, and returned dragging a huge flat stone which he deposited at Allan's feet; then he stood eagerly waiting, making a variety of signs to show Allan that he expected him to do something with it.
'Fetch, Laddie!' said Allan, throwing the stone as far as he could.
Laddie uttered a joyful yelp and sprang after it, returning with it in his mouth to ask Allan to throw it again.
'Laddie, fetch!' cried Allan, throwing it into the sea this time, and Laddie plunged into the water and came back dripping.
He laid down the stone and shook himself, to the great inconvenience of Marjorie; then he jumped about, baying for Allan to throw the stone once more.
The shouts and laughter and Laddie's barking were making a tumult which vied with the noise of wind and waves, when Hamish touched Allan's arm and pointed to the sky.
'Oh, I say,' said Allan, 'we really ought to go; it's going to pour like anything, and the girls will get wet.'
'I'm wet enough already, I think, especially about the feet,' murmured Tricksy; while Marjorie's lips tightened. She did not like the boys to show that they thought her less hardy than themselves.
Some large drops on the stones warned them to hasten; and they reached the doctor's house just as the storm burst.
Mrs. MacGregor, a pretty, young-looking lady, ran down into the hall to meet them.