Mrs. Deline scrambled to her feet, clutching at the broken chain.
“See what you’ve done!” she accused Penny. “You pulled it apart. My beautiful charm has fallen into the water!”
“Let me help you look for it,” Louise offered, darting forward.
As the pair were groping about on the sandy floor, another wave rolled in. Penny neglected to warn Mrs. Deline. It struck her from behind, toppling her over on her face. Her cap slipped awry and she swallowed salt water.
“Oh, I can’t stand any more of this!” she spluttered. “It was cruel of you to get me to come into the surf! Now I’ve lost my charm, and it was all your fault, Penny Parker.”
“I’ll buy you another ornament,” the girl offered. Seeing Mrs. Deline’s distress she felt a bit ashamed of herself.
“Another ornament!” the widow mocked. “I don’t want another! I want the one I’ve lost. It’s of vital importance to me to keep it.”
Mrs. Deline made another futile search for the charm.
“It’s been washed away,” she cried. “I’ll never find it now!”
Glaring furiously at Penny, she turned and fled to the bath house.