"Shinny-on-your-own-side!" called Mrs. Carson. "Listen for the splash. Come on, you girls!"
"We're coming." Two splashes almost simultaneous echoed sharply against the bare walls, followed by others mingled with shrieks, laughter, chokings and gurglings. Dee, reluctant, found herself alone in the passage way.
Like many women of unaroused temperament she preserved a sort of remote and proud consciousness of her body, a physical reticence. The gross implications of contact, the prurient stimulus to the imagination in what was going on in the pool, held her back. Yet she was conscious of some participation in the excitement, too; the lewd mob-psychology of that mixed group spurred her while it revolted her finer instincts. But it was her sportsmanship that finally urged her forward. After all, she had agreed to join. Backing out now would be pretty yellow. Her hand was fumbling along the open door when another burst of merriment checked her.
"I've caught me a mermaid over the net."
"Reel her in, Bill."
"So've I. Mine's got a bathing cap on."
"No fair, bathing caps. This is the Garden of Eden."
"No; it's the fountain of Eternal Youth. Steady on the net, there!"
"Students! Students!" cried Sally Dangerfield in a voice of chiding laughter. "Care beful!"