When they could hold no more, they strolled down to the beach and sat in the sand. The crowd was very thick here. Nearly everyone was in a bathing suit. Women lolled, half-naked in the sand, while their escorts, still more scantily clad, sifted sand over them. Unabashed couples embraced each other, rubbing elbows with other embracing pairs. The wind blew the smell of hot, wet humans across Jim's face. He looked at Pen's sweet face, now a little round-eyed and abashed in watching the unashamed crowd. It was the first time that Mrs. Manning had allowed Pen to go to Coney Island without her careful eye.
Jim said, with a slow red coming into his cheeks, "Let's get out of here, Sara."
"Why, we just got here," replied Sara. "Let's get into our suits and have some fun."
"Pen'll not get into a bathing suit with these muckers," answered Jim, slowly.
Pen, who had been thinking the same thing, immediately resented Jim's tone. "Of course I shall," she replied airily. "You can't boss me, Jim."
"That's right, Pen," agreed Sara. "Let old Prunes sit here and swelter. You and I will have a dip."
Pen rose and she and Sara started toward the bath house. Jim took a long stride round in front of the two.
"Sara, do as you please," he drawled. "Penelope will stay here with me."