The invitation took Mrs. Deline by surprise. “No, thank you,” she declined. “I can’t swim.”
“We’ll teach you,” offered Penny.
“You’re too kind. I don’t care for the water. I particularly detest cold water.”
“The air is warming up,” Penny tried to encourage her. “Why not try it with us?”
“Nothing could induce me.”
Louise nodded grimly, as much as to say that she had known how it would be. Penny would not give up. She decided to adopt drastic measures.
“No, I didn’t suppose you would go into the water,” she said. “You’re probably afraid you’ll get salt water on that lovely skin of yours, or muss up your hair.”
“Oh!” gasped Mrs. Deline. “The very idea!”
“Isn’t that the reason?” Penny pursued ruthlessly. “You have to protect your beauty?”
“No, it’s not the reason!” Mrs. Deline snapped. “If I had a bathing suit, I’d show you!”