"I don't think it is likely," said Jane. "I am awfully wicked," she continued, "and it is you, Harriet, who have made me so. I told Mr Durrant that you were almost certain a telegram would come. It was a lie, of course, but I have done it for Bobbie's sake, and Miriam's sake, and now you have got to earn my five pounds for me; now is your chance." "But you have spoilt it with that message," said Harriet. "Mr Durrant said we were none of us to bathe until he came back." "You must bathe," said Jane. "I am going to pretend that I forgot all about the message. You must act as though you never got it." "Then you, Jane, will be punished." "I can only be in disgrace," said Jane; "and I don't mind if I get my money. In any case, I shan't bathe; I am going to walk about very slowly along the beach, and will wait for you near the yacht. If any of the sailors see me, they will take me on board, and I can wait for you there. I shall be much too miserable to look on. Don't let Ralph go far into the sea--just a wee, wee bit out of his depth: then catch him very quickly; only be sure you let Robina and the other girls see you do it. Things will be all right for us both now, won't they?" "Yes," said Harriet, in an excited tone. She too felt that her chance had come. Her conscience was dulled to sleep. Not for worlds would she awaken it. Jane immediately began to walk back to Totland Bay, and Harriet turned to the other girls who had come up now to join her. "When,"--said Ralph, who was softly jumping up and down and holding Vivian's hand--"when is we all going into the nice, cool, lovely blue water?" "But where can Mr Durrant be?" said Robina. "He said that he would come with us because the current would certainly be a little strong to-day. Perhaps we had better not bathe." "Oh, of course those who are frightened need not bathe," said Harriet: "but I am going into the water for one." "But where is father? where is my father?" asked Ralph. "He has gone," said Harriet, "out of great kindness to me to find out if a telegram has come on board the `Sea-Gull' to tell me about my own father, who isn't well. Isn't it good of him?" "Just like father," said Ralph. "And is your father very, very bad, Harriet?" "Oh, I hope he is much better now," said Harriet. "But he sometimes does get ill, and then of course I am anxious." "'Course you are, poor Harriet," said Ralph, taking her hand and stroking it softly. "Well, girls," said Harriet, looking at the others; "who's going to bathe, and who isn't?" Two or three elected to get into their bathing things, and go into the water. The little cove was absolutely sheltered. The water was like glass. Some of the children were accustomed to sea-bathing, some were not. Harriet began eagerly to question. "Who can swim?" she asked. "I can," said Frederica. "And I a little bit," said Rose Amberley. "And I can't," said Robina; "but all the same, I am going to bathe if the rest of you do."