Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 11, 2025
"It's fun," declared Melvina, her dark eyes dancing as she smiled at Anna, quite forgetting all her fears. "It would be more fun if we had on real old clothes and could splash," responded Anna; and almost before she finished speaking Melvina leaned away from her and with her free hand swept the water toward her, spraying Anna and herself.
"She saw the tide would sweep them away, so she did not wait for us." "But how can we find her?" wailed Melvina. "I cannot go up the slope barefooted and in my petticoat. What would my father say if he met me in such a plight? He tells me often to remember to set a good example to other children. And I would be ashamed indeed to be seen like this." "You do look funny," Anna acknowledged soberly.
Anna and Luretta sat down on the short grass, and for a few moments talked of the Polly, and looked in vain for the glimmer of a sail. "Look, Danna! Here comes Melvina now," whispered Luretta, whose quick ears had caught the sound of steps. Anna looked quickly around. "She's all dressed up," she responded. "See, her skirts set out all around her like a wheel."
Anna now wore her every-day dress of gingham, and in her eagerness to see the rabbits she had quite forgotten to try and behave like Melvina Lyon. "Why, it is a pity to separate the little creatures," Paul declared, when Luretta told him that she had promised one to Anna. "See how close they keep together. And this box is big enough for them both.
"Oh, I have always wanted to wade in the ocean," she exclaimed, "and the water is not cold." As Anna listened to Melvina's exclamation a new and wonderful plan came into her thoughts; something she decided that would make up to Melvina for her mischievous fun. She resolved quickly that Melvina Lyon should have the happiest afternoon of her life.
Together the two women cleaned the house from top to bottom, rooting into trunks, chests, and cupboards, and disposing of much of the litter that Ellen had accumulated. Afterward Melvina took her leave, and Lucy turned her mind to renovations.
In spite of the sunshine dark clouds were gathering along the western horizon; but the girls did not notice this. Anna and Luretta had forgotten all about the sloop Polly, and were both now a little ashamed of their plan to make sport of Melvina. "Here is your bag all safe, Melly," called Anna, "and while Luretta is washing your stockings I'll rub off those spots on your pretty dress.
As she reached the top of the bluff there was a moment's lull in the storm, and Anna could clearly see the wide branched juniper bushes where she had left Melvina. "Melly! Melly!" she called, scrambling down the slope. But there was no answer; and in a moment Anna realized that Melvina was not under the trees.
"There is the clam's nest in that mud. Truly. They are not birds; they are shellfish. I was only fooling." "I don't care," answered Melvina. "I shall know now what clams really are."
Even the rebuked, and for a time angered, Sheldon, could not help ever and anon seeking her out amid the crowd, and gazing upon her with a feeling of respect that he tried in vain to subdue. Melvina had sought to produce a "sensation" by gay and imposing attire, and after a brief and partial success, lost her power.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking