"Then don't grow any thinner. You are getting to be all angles." She got off his knee and took a chair some little distance from him. "These unflattering remarks are not soothing," she said. "I think I prefer your silence." Arnott felt carelessly amused. "You needn't get ratty," he returned. "It is only concern for your well-being that is responsible for my criticisms. The fact is, you need a change, Pam. I have half a mind to shut up the house and cart the lot of you off to the seaside for a fortnight--Muizenberg, or somewhere handy, so that I can get in every day and see that things here are going on all right. Miss Maitland could look after the kiddies, and you and I could motor around, and forget all about Wynberg. What do you say to my plan?" Pamela sat forward in her chair, her face alight with pleasure. "Oh! that would be good," she said. "I should love it? Let it be Muizenberg, Herbert. The sea is so safe and warm there. You could teach Pamela to swim. She hasn't a scrap of fear." The suggestion took Arnott's fancy. It occurred to him that he might derive a good deal of pleasure in this way. Surf bathing at Muizenberg was noted. He would have them all in the sea, and teach the governess as well as Pamela aquatic accomplishments. "Then that's settled," he said. "I will secure rooms at the hotel before the holiday rush. If we get bored, we can return and leave the children there." "I shan't get bored," she said. "I shall sit on the sands all day and revel in idleness. You can't think what a joy it will be to me to have the children always. I shan't want to go motoring. One can do that any time." "You shall please yourself," he returned with unusual good humour. "It's your holiday. If you want to build castles in the sand, I'll help you. You must get yourself a bathing dress--we must all have bathing dresses, and we will become amphibious." "I really believe," observed Pamela, looking at him with a quiet smile, "that you are actually keen on this adventure." "I am," he replied. "I told you I was dreaming myself youthful again. I want to roll in the surf, and do all manner of foolish things... Why have we never done these things before?" "It never occurred to me that you would agree to an annual seaside trip," she answered. "And I shouldn't care to go without you. It is only lately," she added thoughtfully, "that you have shown any disposition to be bothered with the children. You wouldn't let yourself get interested in them before; and now I believe you realise that you have missed a lot. They are dear wee things."