As soon as they had been refreshed, outwardly and inwardly, they were taken into the room where “the grandmother” sat in her large, comfortable chair, and were introduced to her with much solemnity; but they only waited for the few words of welcome to each, and then passed into the pleasant sitting-room adjoining.

“You must go in to-morrow and see the grandmother, one at a time,” said Lizzie, as she drew a chair near the rest.  “She does not see many strangers, and more than one confuses her.  It seemed necessary to introduce you in a body, but she will be better pleased to become acquainted with you separately.”

“I have something for her,” said Gertrude.  “She seems to remember me as well as if I were here only last week.”

“I have something for her, too,” said Dexie, smiling, “but it is only a soft foot-rest, and I see she has one now.”

“That is kind of you to think of her,” said Maggie.  “Let me know when you are going to give it to her, and I will slip in beforehand and pull away her old one.  She will be so delighted to think that you remembered her.”

But the beautiful prospect from the windows claimed a closer inspection, and they went for their hats and started for the beach.

Lancy followed Mr. McDonald to inspect the premises with the happy owner, promising to join the rest later on.  The girls walked along the path that led across a waving field of grain, and then stood for a few minutes looking off at the white-topped waves that extended as far as the eye could reach.  The high sandbanks here raised their barriers against the waters of the Gulf, and shrill screams of laughter, such as only come from girlish throats, accompanied their descent through the dry, yielding sand to the beach below.  The little white-washed building that served the double purpose of bathing and boat-house was duly inspected; and when Dexie admitted her ability to handle an oar, it raised her very much in the estimation of the bright country lasses, as they were under the impression that her soft hands were not put to much energetic labor, but one who had sufficient muscle to handle an oar could surely do other things as well.  While they were on the beach Lancy joined them, and after he had inspected the boat-house, under Dexie’s enthusiastic guidance, they agreed that on the morrow they would sail across to the distant point, and view the prospect from that quarter.

“We will take a lunch and have a private picnic,” said Lizzie.  “I hope the day will be fine.  You have no idea how rough it is here when the wind is high; the breakers come rolling in so high and grand that it is quite fascinating to watch them, but dangerous in the extreme to be on the shore.  Vessels have to keep out to sea when there is a storm, for this is considered a dangerous coast, but there have not been any wrecks along here for some years.”

They returned by a different route, entering the house by a side-door, and the visitors were surprised to see the display of flowers that bloomed in the outer porch, making it, indeed, a bower of beauty.