that the Honourable John Ruffin had felt of Mrs. Wilson's
objecting to Pollyooly's grilling his bacon passed away when he saw how
her heart went out to the two children. Indeed, before tea was over he
was driven to say:

"I see what it is, Mrs. Wilson: the Lump is going to usurp my place in
your regard."

"No one could do that, Master John; and well you know it," said Mrs.
Wilson firmly.

CHAPTER XI

POLLYOOLY MEETS THE UNPLEASANT PRINCE

Tea over, the Honourable John Ruffin proposed that he should take them to
the sands; and Pollyooly agreed eagerly. But as they came out of the
house, two little girls, bare-legged and wearing sandals, passed them.

He looked from them to Pollyooly's stout shoes and black stockings,
stopped short and said firmly:

"We must change all this."

He turned to the right down the street and led them into the chief shop
of the village. Apparently he was well known there, for the proprietor
greeted him with respectful warmth. He bought sandals, bathing-dresses,
blue linen frocks, a sunbonnet for Pollyooly, a linen hat for the Lump,
spades and buckets.

Loaded with these purchases he came out into the street, and took his way
back to Mrs. Wilson's, saying:

"You must hurry up and change into these things. First impressions are
so important at the seaside; people have so much leisure to be pernickety
in; and you _must_ look all right!"

Pollyooly was not long making the change; and when she came out of the
house in the blue linen frock and sunbonnet, he smiled at her with warm
approval and said:

"There's no doubt about it, you have got the knack of wearing clothes,
Pollyooly."

To Pollyooly his utterance was entirely cryptic; but she gathered that it
was complimentary and returned his smile.

He took them down to the sands; and they were soon at the height of
happiness, building a castle, paddling, and picking up shells. He left
them to it; and went for a stroll down the sea wall. Since it was a hot
evening, at seven he fetched them to bathe; and since he let them bathe
in their own timid way, the timid way of children bathing for the first
time, they enjoyed it exceedingly. The Lump found eight inches of water
deep enough for him, Pollyooly eighteen.

The next morning they bathed again at seven.

The house was near enough to the sea to allow them to go straight from
their bedrooms to it in their bathing dresses. After their bath the
Honourable John Ruffin re