“It–it’s–fi–fine–co–come on–in!”
“Listen to her!” cried Bess. “It must be like a refrigerator to make her stammer like that.”
“It is not,” said Cora. “It–it’s real–real warm–when you–you–get used to it.”
“I have heard said,” remarked Eline with studied calmness, “that one can get used to anything–if one only makes up one’s mind to it.”
“Come–come on—”
Cora did not finish. A wave splashed up on her, taking her breath. Then, resolving to get it over with, she strode out, threw herself under water and a moment later was swimming beside Jack.
“Cora’s in!” exclaimed Bess. “I’m going too.”
“So am I,” added Eline. “Come on, Belle!”
Belle hesitated.
“I can only swim a few strokes,” she said. “I learned at Lake Dunkirk.”