A SEASIDE IDYLL 217 



and shod on its edge. Other groups are dotted 

 about amongst the rock-pools, along the beach 

 and on the sandhills, taking their turn to roll 

 down the soft warm sand-slopes to the shore. 

 The whole air is filled with youthful energy 

 and joy. As we get nearer to the first group, 

 they see us, abandon their great drainage works, 

 and run barefoot towards us across the wet 

 sands prancing with delight and the joys of 

 childhood let loose on the sea-shore. 



It is not the seaside of a dream, it is all real ; 

 we have found the best sort of children of all 

 our own. This is a real seaside holiday, with 

 two more weeks of it to run, and the poor towns- 

 folk on their reeking pavements in the blazing 

 sunshine seem very far away. Let us find a 

 little bit of shade under the rocks, inspect 

 the collection of crabs, limpets and other sea 

 beasts in the buckets, boil the tea-kettle and 

 have a big tea, with lots of freshly made yellow 

 butter, as much of it as we want, spread upon 

 bread of to-day's baking ; and, in the absence 

 of a Cream Controller, Devonshire cream. 



After tea, a reposeful pipe, as I lie in the soft 

 warm sand, with my back against a rock, and 

 watch a youthful fisherman with toy rod and 

 line, barbless hook baited with gingerbread, 

 qualifying for much future delight. 



