The others had paused in the veranda below. Zoe and Rosie came running over to say the bathing hour was near at hand, and to ask if they were going in.
"I am not," Elsie said.
"Nor I," said Violet, "I'm a little tired and should prefer to sit here and chat with mamma."
"I'd like to go in," said Max. "When papa comes down I'll ask if I may."
"Mamma," said Rosie, "I don't care to go in to-day, but may I go down on the beach and watch the bathers?"
"Yes, daughter. Take a servant with you to carry some camp-chairs and to watch over Walter, if he wants to go with you."
"You'll come too, won't you?" Rosie said to Lulu; "it's good fun to watch the people in the water."
"I'll have to ask leave first," replied Lulu in a sullen tone. "Can you wait till papa comes down?"
"That is not necessary since your father has invested me with authority to give you permission," remarked Violet pleasantly. "You may go if you will keep with Rosie and the others. But, Lulu, my dear, I wish you would first go up to your room, take off those coral ornaments and put them away carefully. They do not correspond well with the dress you have on, and are not suitable for you to wear down on the beach at this time of day."
She had noticed, on first seeing the child that morning, that she had them on, but said nothing about it till now.