"Ah, that reminds me," said Edward, "that Mrs. Perkins told me she expects her husband by the evening train, and wants us to join them to-morrow in getting up a fishing party. The plan is to drive over to Manasquan, hire a boat there and go out on the ocean. What do you all say about it?"
The young men were highly in favor of the trip; Amy would see how she felt in the morning; Violet demurred, lest there might be danger in going upon the ocean, and "because she could not see any pleasure in catching fish; it seemed so cruel."
"But you eat them," reasoned her brother.
"Yes, I know, and I suppose it is very inconsistent to object to catching them, but I do. I could not enjoy seeing them suffer."
"You can go with us without feeling obliged to share in that, can you not?" asked Donald.
"Needn't even go out in the boat unless you choose," put in Charlie. "We'll find a shady spot under the trees near the shore where you can sit and watch us."
Violet thought that plan would do very well; she could take a book along, and the time would not seem tedious.
"But Mary has not spoken," said Donald, turning to her.
"I see no objection to your going, any or all of you," she answered brightly, "but I must be excused."
"But why?" they all asked in various tones of disappointment and inquiry.