great desire was for fun and frolic; to have, as she expressed it, "a
jolly good time" wherever she went.

The captain drew out his watch. "About time to don the bathing-suits,"
he said; "I understand that eleven o'clock is the hour, and it wants but
fifteen minutes of it."

Grandma Elsie had kindly seen to it that each little girl--that is,
Captain Raymond's two and her own Rosie--was provided with a pretty,
neatly-fitting, and becoming bathing dress.

Violet helped Lulu to put her's on, and, surveying her with a smile of
gratified motherly pride, told her she looked very well in it, and that
she hoped she would enjoy her bath.

"Thank you," said Lulu; "but why don't you go in too, Mamma Vi?"

"Only because I don't feel strong enough to stand up against those heavy
waves," Violet answered. "But I am going down to the beach to watch you
all, and see that you don't drown," she added, sportively.

"Oh Lu, aren't you afraid to go in?" asked little Grace, half shuddering
at the very thought.

"Why no, Gracie; I've bathed in the sea before; I went in a good many
times last summer; don't you remember?"

"Yes; but the waves there weren't half so big and strong."

"No; but I'll have a rope and papa, too, to hold to; so why need I be