afraid?" laughed Lulu.

"Mamma is, I think," said Grace, looking doubtfully at her.

"Oh no, dear," said Violet; "I should not be at all afraid to go in if
I were as strong as usual; but being weak, I know that buffeting with
those great waves would do me more harm than good."

Their cottages being so near the beach, our party all assumed their
bathing suits before descending to it. They went down, this first time,
all in one company, forming quite a procession; Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore
heading it, and Violet and Grace, as mere spectators, bringing up the
rear.

They, in common with others who had nothing to do but look on, found it
an amusing scene; there was a great variety of costume, some neat,
well-fitting, and modest; some quite immodestly scant; some bright and
new; some faded and old. There was, however, but little freshness and
beauty in any of them when they came out of the water.

Violet and Grace found a seat under an awning. Max came running up to
them.

"Papa is going in with Lulu first," he said; "then he will bring her out
and take me with him for a swim beyond the breakers. I'll just wait here
with you till my turn comes."

"See, see, they're in the water!" cried Grace; "and oh, what a big, big
wave that is coming! There, it would have knocked Lulu down if papa
hadn't had fast hold of her."