"What'll mamma say?" "I'll tell her it was all my fault." "How good you are," and Beth edged up nearer to him. "Stop dripping water all over me and come on." They hurried towards the house, and circled around to the back entrance to escape Beth's mother. The washerwoman, at the tubs on the kitchen porch, and Maggie were the only ones to see poor Beth. Maggie raised her arms skyward. "Laws a massa"--then she broke into hearty laughter. "I 'lows, Penny,"--the name of the washerwoman,--"hyere's moh washin' fur yo'. How yo' 'specs it'd be if we'd jes' run chile an' all frugh de wringer?" Beth was too humiliated to say a word, and rushed up-stairs the back way. When the affair was reported to Mrs. Davenport, she considered the situation well before seeing her little daughter. Beth was getting to be a terrible tomboy, she thought, but she was growing strong physically with the outdoor life. And even while she did sometimes fall into danger, the same thing often occurred when mothers watched a child's every breath. Mrs. Davenport decided that the wiser way was to educate a child to be self-reliant and fearless, trusting to God's guardianship and protection. She knew that in the years to come, Beth would learn the gentler graces, for she had a kindly heart; so, instead of punishing Beth, Mrs. Davenport had a long talk with her that did Beth a world of good. In fact, her mother's gentleness was an inspiration to right living all through her life. CHAPTER VIII Learning to Swim Marian, Julia, Beth, Harvey, and Don were in bathing. The deep water enclosed by the walk and piling surrounding the boat house made a safe bathing place for them,--safe at least from the alligators, though the water was deep. Harvey and Don were the only ones in the party who knew how to swim. The other children struggled hard to learn. Harvey was a very willing teacher, but did not know exactly how to impart his knowledge. He said: "Why, it's very easy. See, you just have to start out like this, and there you are." Thereupon, they started out as directed, but, alas, they were not there as he said. Their feet grew unaccountably light so that their heads disappeared under the water. However, they enjoyed even the ducking. Don reveled in the water frolic as much, if not more, than any of them. He was ever ready to do the children's bidding, and ever kept a watchful eye on his charges. Beth, however, was his especial care. He seemed to feel an ownership for her. Don, too, tried to encourage the children in their efforts to swim. He plunged out into deep water, and then looked persuasively back at the children nearer shore, as if to say: "Follow me. It's really very easy." Beth as usual proved the venturesome one, and started out after Don. Mrs. Davenport, who was sitting on the wharf doing some fancy work and at the same time watching the children, called: "Beth, do be careful or you'll get into trouble." "Why, mamma, I am careful."