"O Susie," said Amy, as she plodded breathlessly over the sand to the
steps, "she called mother an old woman!"

"Well?" said Susie.

"She is the most young and the most beautiful lady I have ever seen,"
said Amy, with flushed cheeks.

"Yes, of course," said Susie.

"They seemed rather rude," said Amy.

"It isn't being rude, it's being _reckless_. Didn't you hear them say
so?"

"Aren't they the same, Susie?"

"Not at all," said Susie, with her nose in the air. "It's _older_ to be
reckless; it's much easier to be rude. But you mustn't tell, Amy."

"O Susie, I'll try not," said Amy; "but when mother asks me I don't know
what to do."

"Well, you can hold your tongue," said Susie sharply.




CHAPTER VI.