"Aren't you ready?"
The quiver of amusement in the challenge did it. He flung back his head and laughed outright.
"Why not? But, oh, Ferlie, you are incorrigible!"
She was trailing her feet in the water when he joined her, forgetful of all problems not directly connected with the cool green water.
"I shall dive off and swim to that log," pointing to one barely visible near the opposite bank. "From there I shall encourage your amateur efforts and proffer suitable advice."
Said Ferlie: "I shall be sitting on the most comfortable end of the log long before your slow-coach head has emerged from the weedy depths to be mistaken for a floating coco-nut by some water-fowl in search of a raft."
But as she slipped into the water, the log on which they anticipated basking rolled over without rhyme or reason into deep water. It splashed lazily upstream breaking the green jade surface into a million ripples before, having yawned in their faces with thoughtful deliberation, it sank gracefully out of sight.
After an instant's smitten silence they collapsed backwards on the soft mud above the bank, sobbing with relieved merriment.
"Which is the most comfortable end of him?" gasped Cyprian.
Cheated of their swim, they threw themselves on to higher ground and stretched full length along the warm grass.