Clarence obeyed sheepishly, and as the two boats pointed toward the beach, Miss Campbell remarked:
“The only way to avoid a quarrel with that singular young man was to ask them all to tea. But I’m sure if it gives them any pleasure it is well worth the trouble.”
Presently they found themselves on a smooth beach, just back of which in a little hollow was a lovely grove of palm trees.
“What a perfect place for a picnic,” cried Elinor. “Do the fairies dance here by moonlight, I wonder?”
“Isn’t it sweet?” cried Mary, clasping her hands rapturously.
The prow of the other boat then grounded on the beach and the boy and girl jumped out so eagerly, that it was plain to be seen they were glad to get rid of the ill-natured Clarence.
“I can’t tell you how much pleasure this will give us,” said Georgiana to Miss Campbell, a slight tremble in her voice.
“It gives me a great deal of pleasure, too, I’m sure,” replied the other cordially. “Your name is——”
“Georgiana Paxton, and this is my brother, Edward Paxton.”
Miss Campbell introduced them to her charges, and nobody took any more notice of Clarence, who busied himself with his engine and occasionally cast a surly glance at the others.