"She is out in front, Miss Frances," replied Nurse. "Are you going
for a walk?"

"Just to the beach. We'll be back for tea."

Edith stood at the gate and the two ran down to the shore. The
tide, half-way out, left bare a tremendous expanse of wet sand,
iridescent under the sun's rays. The water showed wonderful shades
of blue, green and turquoise, and in the edge of the retreating
waves walked hundreds of gulls, searching for food.

The girls started up the beach toward St. Helier's, chatting
happily as they watched the water and the birds. Little sandpipers
appeared and some huge gray cormorants.

Presently a handsome collie ran up to them, dropped a stone before
Frances and stood looking at her, his head cocked on one side, all
but speaking.

"You darling," said Frances, picking up the pebble. "Does he want
to be played with? Well, he shall."

She threw the stone down the beach and the collie shot after it at
full speed, his beautiful tawny coat shining in the sunlight.

"Twice before," said Edith, "when I've been on the sands, he has
begged me to throw stones for him to chase. He's a thorough-bred.
Such fine markings! He looks like one of the Westmoreland sheep
dogs. You've heard of them, haven't you? They are so intelligent