As soon as the hawsers were made fast, and the shouts of Zebedee redoubled with great strength (both of sound and of language), and the long ropes lifted with a flash of splashes, and a creak of heavy wood, and the cry was, "With a will! with a will, my gay lads!" every body having a sound eye in it was gazing intently, and every heart was fluttering, except the loveliest eyes and quickest heart in all Springhaven.
Miss Dolly had made up her mind to go, and would have had warm words ready for any one rash enough to try to prevent her.

But a very short note which was put into her hand about 10 A.M.distracted her.
"If you wish to do me a real service, according to your kind words of Saturday, be in the upper shrubbery at half past eleven; but tell no one except the bearer.

You will see all that happens better there than on the beach, and I will bring a telescope." Dolly knew at once who had written this, and admired it all the more because it was followed by no signature.

For years she had longed for a bit of romance; and the common-sense of all the world irked her.

She knew as well as possible that what she ought to do was to take this letter to her sister Faith, and be guided by her advice about it.