"Yes," assented Betty. "We are back," but there was no enthusiasm in her voice.
"Oh, but I say, I am charmed to see you—all," added Percy, after a glance at the Little Captain. "I motored down, don't you know. Father let me, after some arguing. I should have liked to come in the boat, with the rest of the fellows, but I can't stand the sea, really I can't. But I'm glad I'm here."
"Yes, we—we are glad to see you," Betty said. "We are going in bathing; won't you come along?"
"Ah, thank you, now. I'm afraid it's a little too cool for going into the water to-day; don't you?"
"No, we like it!" said Mollie. "How did you leave Deepdale?"
"Oh, everything is the same, though it's very lonesome, with you girls away."
"Oh, who let him in?" murmured Grace, with a despairing glance at Betty.
"Hush!" the latter cautioned her. "At least he has his car, and we can have a ride now and then," for Mollie's machine was in use by her mother that summer, and the girls had no chance at its pleasures.
"Mercenary!" whispered Mollie to the Little Captain.
Percy was made as welcome as the circumstances permitted, and he sat on the sand under a huge umbrella while the girls frolicked in the water. The boys came back for luncheon, and helped to divide the boredom of the newest arrival, though they made uncomplimentary remarks behind his back, and Betty was in constant fear lest some unpleasant incident should occur. She had to remember that she was the hostess.