Taking out her pretty watch, "Half-past five," she said in some dismay, "and the air begins to feel a little chilly. Don't you think so?"
"Yes; and it's supper-time. Come, Don, my lad, we must pull lustily."
"Yes, a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull both together," responded Don gayly, as he bent to his oar.
"We ought to have brought shawls along for you girls," Cyril remarked, with an anxious glance at his little cousin.
"I'm not cold," said Annis.
"But Elsie is. Here, little coz, let me put this round you," he said, pulling off his coat; "nobody will see, and I wouldn't have you take a chill from this expedition for anything in the world."
"But you will be cold," Elsie said, shrinking back, as he would have put it about her shoulders.
"Not a bit; rowing keeps a fellow warm as toast this time of year," he returned, with a light laugh: and she made no further resistance.
Nearing the grotto, they saw Aunt Chloe standing at the water's edge, with a shawl on her arm, looking out anxiously for her nursling.
"O mammy! has papa come?" Elsie called to her.