"So they are, but this is smaller. I'm going to try to get you some big ones. Do you care for starfish?" Edna swooped upon one and drew it forth waving its pink legs helplessly. "Of course!" exclaimed Sylvia excitedly. "How lovely. I'm going to have a sea cabinet." "Oh, there," cried Edna, "I see a big urchin now, but I'm afraid I can't get him!" "Can't?" exclaimed a voice incredulously. "He'll give himself to you," and Dunham dropped lightly from the rock above the absorbed girls, who sat up suddenly to find him standing beside them. Sylvia was first to recognize the apparition. "Mr. Dunham!" she exclaimed, and the blood pulsed in her ears with the voice of the sea. "Why, it is Mr. Dunham," said Edna, and leaning on her wet hand she reached up the other to greet him. Then he shook hands with Sylvia. "It's a good thing you carry around those curls for people to know you by, Miss Lacey," he said. Her upturned eyes were dark with excitement, her sudden color was high. There were little freckles across the bridge of her piquant nose. She was alive and glowing in every line. "Where did you spring from?" asked Edna, brushing back a lock of hair with the back of her wet hand. "First from the office, then from the Tide Mill, later from your house propelled by Miss Lacey, and ultimately from that rock, to discover by what magic there was some big urchin that Miss Derwent couldn't get. I never knew one who wasn't at her service,--the regiment headed by myself." "On the contrary," returned Edna, "I distinctly remember when mother tried to get you to come to us here and you refused." "Not refused. Regretted with tears. This is my party call,--the first opportunity I've had to make it." "Well, you see now what you missed." Edna waved her hand toward the landscape. "Don't I! From the moment of leaving the Tide Mill until I discovered your blonde and brunette heads bending over this pool my pilgrimage has been one long reminiscent wail." "Oh, of course if you talk that way you will restore my complacency. When did you come to the Tide Mill?" "Friday." "In time for the storm, then." "Yes, but Judge Trent was with me. We sang,-- 'You and I together, Love, Never mind the weather, Love.'" Edna looked at him with curiosity and approval. A hundred incidents of their old friendship were returning to her thought. It was almost the same boyish head and face that topped this tall personage. "You're just as silly as ever, John, aren't you?" she said. "I'm so glad." He laughed toward Sylvia. "There's a reference for you, Miss Lacey." "You please her. What more can you ask?" returned Sylvia.