“Let me go!” Mrs. Deline protested, trying to shake free. “Stop it!”
Penny held fast to her hand. A big roller broke over their heads. Mrs. Deline sputtered and choked and struggled.
“Oh, this is dreadful!” she whimpered.
“You have to watch for the waves and jump just as they strike you,” Penny laughed. “Now!”
She leaped, but the widow mistimed the roller. It struck her a resounding whack on her shoulders and head.
“Oh! Oh!” she moaned.
“Here comes another!” warned Louise. “A big one too!”
Mrs. Deline broke away from Penny. She started to run for shore. The big roller overtook her, sweeping her from her feet.
This was the opportunity that Penny awaited. Pretending that she too had lost her balance, she allowed the tide to carry her straight into Mrs. Deline. For an instant they both were beneath the surface of the water.
Penny worked fast. Clutching Mrs. Deline as if in terror, she yanked hard at the slender chain that held the green elephant charm. It snapped and the jade piece came off into her hands. Deftly she thrust the charm into the front of her bathing suit. Then she popped up above the water, winking at Louise.