"I don't know," she said slowly. She paused, her eyes vague. "I guess so," she added at last.
"Then I'll learn," said Bobby.
"It's lots of fun," said she.
Bobby trod on air. Without his conscious intention their course took direction to the river front. They walked to the left along the wide, artificial bank of piling. Beneath them the water swished among the timbers. On one side were the sand-hills, on the other the blue, preoccupied river. Across the stream was another facade of piles, unbroken save for the little boatslips where the Life Saving men had their station. A strong sweet breeze came from the Lake. Far down ahead they could just make out the twin piers that, jutting into the Lake, continued artificially the course of the river. The lighthouses on their ends were dwarfed by distance.
By and by Celia tired a little, so they sat and dangled their feet and watched the tiny scalloped blue wavelets dance in the current. A passer-by stopped a moment to warn them.
"Look out, youngsters, you don't fall in," said he.
Bobby still exalted with the favour he had been vouchsafed, looked up with dignity.
"I am taking care of this little girl," he said deliberately, and turned his back.
The man chuckled and passed on.
For a long time they sat side by side looking straight out before them.