help it. It is silly of nurse," she went on, as she tied the lace in a
draggled knot. "Why shouldn't we play with you? I feel _perfectly
certain_--" She seemed to remember using those words before on an
unfortunate occasion, so she hastily changed them. "I am _quite sure_
that you are a very good companion. Me and Tom couldn't learn any
harm from you."

She was persuading herself, not the twins, but it was a twin who
answered.

"We can have lots of fun," said Dot, "and no one will know. The first
chance we will cut over the rocks to the town and buy some sweets."

"Generally I have to look after the little ones," said Susie.

"Well, no one would eat them if they stayed here alone till you came
back, would they, stupid?"

"No," said Susie, rather shortly.

She was not quite sure that she liked being called "stupid."

* * * * *

"I can't think how all this sand has got into your stockings," said
nurse. "I should hope you didn't paddle after I left you, against my
orders!"

There was silence, and in another moment Susie would have told the truth,
but before the words came faltering out nurse spoke again.