and more than one confuses her. It seemed necessary to introduce
you in a body, but she will be better pleased to become acquainted with you
separately."

"I have something for her," said Gertrude. "She seems to remember me as
well as if I were here only last week."

"I have something for her, too," said Dexie, smiling, "but it is only a
soft foot-rest, and I see she has one now."

"That is kind of you to think of her," said Maggie. "Let me know when you
are going to give it to her, and I will slip in beforehand and pull away
her old one. She will be so delighted to think that you remembered her."

But the beautiful prospect from the windows claimed a closer inspection,
and they went for their hats and started for the beach.

Lancy followed Mr. McDonald to inspect the premises with the happy owner,
promising to join the rest later on. The girls walked along the path that
led across a waving field of grain, and then stood for a few minutes
looking off at the white-topped waves that extended as far as the eye could
reach. The high sandbanks here raised their barriers against the waters of
the Gulf, and shrill screams of laughter, such as only come from girlish
throats, accompanied their descent through the dry, yielding sand to the
beach below. The little white-washed building that served the double
purpose of bathing and boat-house was duly inspected; and when Dexie
admitted her ability to handle an oar, it raised her very much in the
estimation of the bright country lasses, as they were under the impression
that her soft hands were not put to much energetic labor, but one who had
sufficient muscle to handle an oar could surely do other things as well.
While they were on the beach Lancy joined them, and after he had inspected
the boat-house, under Dexie's enthusiastic guidance, they agreed that on
the morrow they would sail across to the distant point, and view the
prospect from that quarter.

"We will take a lunch and have a private picnic," said Lizzie. "I hope the
day will be fine. You have no idea how rough it is here when the wind is
high; the breakers come rolling in so high and grand that it is quite
fascinating to watch them, but dangerous in the extreme to be on the shore.
Vessels have to keep out to sea when there is a storm, for this is
considered a dangerous coast, but there have not been any wrecks along here
for some years."

They returned by a different route, entering the house by a side-door, and