And Dennis chimed in from under his hat. "Only to be had from the
fishmonger's."

And Bill Hunt, emerging, added, "With whole fish in it."

"Oh, what a bore!" wailed Isabel. And she explained to William how
they had been chasing round the town for ice while she waited for
him. "Simply everything is running down the steep cliffs into the sea,
beginning with the butter."

"We shall have to anoint ourselves with butter," said Dennis. "May thy
head, William, lack not ointment."

"Look here," said William, "how are we going to sit? I'd better get up
by the driver."

"No, Bobby Kane's by the driver," said Isabel. "You're to sit between
Moira and me." The taxi started. "What have you got in those mysterious
parcels?"

"De-cap-it-ated heads!" said Bill Hunt, shuddering beneath his hat.

"Oh, fruit!" Isabel sounded very pleased. "Wise William! A melon and a
pineapple. How too nice!"

"No, wait a bit," said William, smiling. But he really was anxious. "I
brought them down for the kiddies."

"Oh, my dear!" Isabel laughed, and slipped her hand through his arm.
"They'd be rolling in agonies if they were to eat them. No"--she patted
his hand--"you must bring them something next time. I refuse to part
with my pineapple."

"Cruel Isabel! Do let me smell it!" said Moira. She flung her arms
across William appealingly. "Oh!" The strawberry bonnet fell forward:
she sounded quite faint.

"A Lady in Love with a Pineapple," said Dennis, as the taxi drew up
before a little shop with a striped blind. Out came Bobby Kane, his arms
full of little packets.

"I do hope they'll be good. I've chosen them because of the colours.
There are some round things which really look too divine. And just look
at this nougat," he cried ecstatically, "just look at it! It's a perfect
little ballet."

But at that moment the shopman appeared. "Oh, I forgot. They're none of
them paid for," said Bobby, looking frightened. Isabel gave the shopman
a note, and Bobby was radiant again. "Hallo, William! I'm sitting by the
driver." And bareheaded, all in white, with his sleeves rolled up to the
shoulders, he leapt into his place. "Avanti!" he cried...

After tea the others went off to bathe, while William stayed and made
his peace with the kiddies. But Johnny and Paddy were asleep, the
rose-red glow had paled, bats were flying, and still the bathers had
not returned. As William wandered downstairs, the maid crossed the hall
carrying a lamp. He followed he