"Girls, you ought to be ashamed," said Eleanor, with well-feigned reproach in her tone. "What nonsense! You would do exactly the same yourself if Mrs. Moffins were not such a disciplinarian. You can't make me think you are so superior," laughed Nathalie. Helen rose, and, pushing open the blind door, stepped out on the veranda. It was a beautiful June morning, bright and sunshiny. The air was soft and warm, and the gentle south wind felt like a caress. The fragrance of roses and honeysuckles was almost intoxicating. Every now and then the delicious stillness was broken by the soft plaintive song of a bird. The old manor looked more beautiful than ever to Helen, who loved every nook and cranny of it. She stood for a moment, shading her eyes with her hand from the sun. "What a pretty day," she murmured to herself. "Oh, I wish----" but then a voice called her, and she went back into the house. "Helen," said Jean, coming out from the dining room, "ask Auntie if we can go in bathing. It is so warm, and we are wild to go in." "Very well," nodded Helen, as she went upstairs. Mrs. Dennis was in her chair by the window, with her breakfast tray on a small table at her side. "Good-morning, darling," she said cheerily. "Where did these delicious strawberries come from?" glancing at the pretty cut-glass dish which was filled with them. "They are the first out of the garden, Auntie, and I was determined that no one should have them but your own dear self." "Thank you, my dear, it was just like you to think of Auntie first. I shall indeed enjoy them." "Do please; and oh, Auntie! the girls want to go bathing to-day. Are you willing they should?" "I am afraid the water will be cold." "Well, we have had a good deal of warm weather, and I think it can't be very frigid. I suppose we might as well say 'yes,' Auntie?" "Of course," replied Aunt Helen laughingly. "Past experience has taught us that when Jean and Nathalie have set their hearts on a thing, we might as well surrender at once. You won't go in, dear?" "No, indeed," and Helen shivered at the idea. "I must go and tell the girls, for they will want to know." When the roomy buckboard came to the door, Nathalie jumped into the front seat and gathered up the reins. "Hurry and get in, girls," she called. "The horses are very fresh this morning," and in a moment more they were bowling down the avenue. "Stop at the inn, Nat," said Jean, "and we will get the letters, and ask Mollie to go down to the beach with us." As they pulled up before the inn, Mollie Andrews came running out on to the porch, with a package of letters in her hand. "Don't get out, Jean; I have your mail. Have you got room enough for me?" "Certainly. Jump right in," cried Nathalie. "The tide is just right now, so we must hurry. Oh! isn't this jolly? I love the delicious sense of excitement one always feels at the first swim of the season. Say, Moll, will you go in?" "I don't know. Yes, I think I will."