` You must bide your time , dear , and not be so impatient . Papa promised to give you a chance before the season is over , and he always manages things nicely . That will be better than any queer prank of yours , ' answered Bess , tying her pretty hair in a white net to match her suit , while Josie made a little lobster of herself in scarlet . ' I hate to wait ; but I suppose I must . Hope she will bathe this afternoon , though it is low tide . She told Uncle she should have to go in then because in the morning people stared so and went on her beach . Come and have a good dive from the big rock . No one round but nurses and babies , so we can romp and splash as much as we like . ' Away they went to have a fine time ; for the little bay was free from other bathers , and the babies greatly admired their aquatic gymnastics , both being expert swimmers . As they sat dripping on the big rock Josie suddenly gave a clutch that nearly sent Bess overboard , as she cried excitedly : ` There she is ! Look ! coming to bathe . How splendid ! Oh , if she only would drown a little and let me save her ! or even get her toe nipped by a crab ; anything so I could go and speak ! ' ` Do n't seem to look ; she comes to be quiet and enjoy herself . Pretend we do n't see her , that 's only civil , ' answered Bess , affecting to be absorbed in a white-winged yacht going by . ` Let 's carelessly float that way as if going for seaweed on the rocks . She ca n't mind if we are flat on our backs , with only our noses out . Then when we ca n't help seeing her , we 'll swim back as if anxious to retire .
That will impress her , and she may call to thank the very polite young ladies who respect her wishes , ' proposed XXXXX , whose lively fancy was always planning dramatic situations .
Bess Josie Papa Uncle afternoon bathers crab gymnastics morning swimmers