great stone that served for anchor was dropped over. Kent took a clean
dive overboard, swam ashore and disappeared along the willow path.
Little Patience set up a wail.

"Baby turn too. Baby turn, too," she wept.

"I'll go stay with her till Kent comes," said Lydia, diving into the
water as casually as if she were rising from a chair.

"I won't stay in this awful boat alone!" shrieked Margery.

Lydia swam steadily to the shore, then turned. Margery was standing up
in the boat.

"Sit down! Sit down!" cried Lydia.

Margery, beside herself with fear, tossed her arms, "I won't stay in
this old--"

There was a great splash and a choking cry as Margery's black braid
disappeared beneath the water.

"And she can't swim," gasped Lydia. "Kent!" she screamed, and made a
flying leap into the water. Her slender, childish arms seemed suddenly
steel. Her thin little legs took a racing stroke like tiny propellers.
Margery came up on the far side of the boat and uttered another choking
cry before she went down again. Lydia dived, caught the long black
braid and brought the frenzied little face to the surface. Margery
immediately threw an arm around Lydia's neck, and Lydia hit her in the
face with a clenched small fist and all the strength she could muster.