"They are the first out of the garden, Auntie, and I was determined that no one should have them but your own dear self."
"Thank you, my dear, it was just like you to think of Auntie first. I shall indeed enjoy them."
"Do please; and oh, Auntie! the girls want to go bathing to-day. Are you willing they should?"
"I am afraid the water will be cold."
"Well, we have had a good deal of warm weather, and I think it can't be very frigid. I suppose we might as well say 'yes,' Auntie?"
"Of course," replied Aunt Helen laughingly. "Past experience has taught us that when Jean and Nathalie have set their hearts on a thing, we might as well surrender at once. You won't go in, dear?"
"No, indeed," and Helen shivered at the idea. "I must go and tell the girls, for they will want to know."
When the roomy buckboard came to the door, Nathalie jumped into the front seat and gathered up the reins.
"Hurry and get in, girls," she called. "The horses are very fresh this morning," and in a moment more they were bowling down the avenue.
"Stop at the inn, Nat," said Jean, "and we will get the letters, and ask Mollie to go down to the beach with us."