ather and mother, made up the party. Hastening
from the station to the beach, the whole family sat down together on the
sands for some ten minutes or so, inhaling, with widely opened mouths,
copious draughts of sea-air. Then the younger ones mounted donkeys, and
the father and mother each a pony, while the old folks looked on.
Having raced about hither and thither on the jaded animals in abrupt
jerks of speed prompted by the resounding blows of the owners of the
unfortunate brutes, all betook themselves to a sailing-boat; and landed
again after half-an-hour's sail, mostly pale, and with dismay in their
looks, which manifestly proclaimed that "a life on the ocean wave" was
certainly not a life to their taste. Then the old grandfather called to
the driver of an open carriage, and took an airing in it with his wife,
both sitting close behind the coachman with their backs to the horses,
and leaving the best seat vacant, utterly unconscious that they were
occupying the less desirable position, and smiling all the while blandly
on the general public, pleased to have, for once in a way, a little
taste of the pleasures of a higher grade of society than their own. The
ride over, the entire party, baby and all, dived into some obscure
region, where an unlimited amount of hot water and stale shrimps could
be had for a very trifling charge.

While Walter and his sister were amusing themselves by watching the
excursionists, they became aware of being the object of notice to two
young men who were walking slowly along the esplanade near them. But
they were so absorbed with what for the time had got their attention,
that they failed to give any special heed to these strangers. Having
put up their horses, they made for the sea, and mingled with the
numerous comers and goers, keeping a special eye, from time to time, on
the mechanic's family and their doings. They were gazing down from the
esplanade upon the busy crowds rushing backwards and forwards on the
sands below them, when the two young men who had before noticed them
passed slowly by them, raising their hats. The two were Saunders and
Gregson. Now, it is true that Walter had, as he called it, dissolved
partnership with these his old companions, and had not met them since
the day of the sad disaster in the park; but, nevertheless, there still
lingered in his heart a measure of liking for them which he could not
altogether get rid of, and a certain amount of regret that al