Finding that the old gentleman felt brighter and more free from pain during the rest of the day, and thought he had received benefit from his visit to the beach, the lads helped him there again the next day. They set him down, then wandered away, leaving him in the care of the same group of ladies who had gathered round him the day before. Each one was anxious to do something for his relief or entertainment, and he seemed both pleased with their society and grateful for their attentions. Mrs. Perkins suggested that the lame hand might be benefited by burying it in the sand while he sat there. "No harm in trying it, anyhow," he said. "Just turn me round a little, Maria, if you please." His wife complied promptly with the request, but in a way which the other ladies thought rough and unfeeling, seizing him by the collar of his coat and jerking him round to the desired position. But he made no complaint. "I think it does ease the pain," he said after a little. "I'm only sorry I can't try it every day for a while." "What is there to hinder?" asked Mrs. Perkins. "Why, we're going to-morrow," replied Mrs. Moses, shortly. "Oh, why not stay longer? You have been here but a week, and Mr. Moses has improved quite a good deal in that time." "Well, he can stay as long as he chooses, but I'm going to New York to-morrow to visit my sister." The ladies urged her to stay for her poor husband's sake, but she was not to be persuaded, and he was unwilling to remain without her. "Take some sand with you, then, to bury his hand in, won't you?" said Mrs. Perkins. "I haven't anything to carry it in," was the ungracious reply. "Those newspapers." "I want to read them." "Well, if we find something to put it in, and get it all ready for you, will you take it in your trunk?" "Yes, I'll do that." "I have a good sized paper box which will answer the purpose, I think," said Mary Keith. "I'll get it." She hastened to the house, returned again in a few moments with the box, and they proceeded to fill it, sifting the sand carefully through their fingers to remove every pebble. "You are taking a great deal of trouble for me, ladies," the old gentleman remarked. "No trouble at all, sir," said Mary; "it's a real pleasure to do anything we can for you: especially remembering the Master's words, 'Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.'" CHAPTER XXI. "How happy they Who, from the toil and tumult of their lives, Steal to look down where nought but ocean strives." --_Byron._ Violet was alone, lying on the bed, resting after her bath, not asleep, but thinking dreamily of home and mother. "Only one more day and my week here will be up," she was saying to herself. "I've had a delightful time, but oh I want to see mamma and the rest!"