king about Spain? And what is this insinuation about my age? But
a few short years have sped since you took me from the schoolroom----"

"Where you _would_ mix up the proverbs in your copy-book. But let us get
back to our starting-point; what exactly is it you meditate doing this
summer--if any?"

"Taking the children to the seaside, of course; and, as I said, we must
make our arrangements well in advance, otherwise we shall get left, as we
did last year, and have to put up with lodgings in Margate."

"Have you any particular place in view?" I asked.

"No. But it must have a nice sandy beach for Barbara, and must not be too
bracing for Baby, and there must be one or two caves dotted about, and a
snug little harbour with a dear old fisherman who can take you sailing,
and--oh, and we'll bask on the shore all day and watch the ripples dancing
in the sun----"

"And hear the starfish calling to his mate," I extemporised.

"And we'll live a life of freedom in a corner by ourselves," she continued
with a disconcerting change of metre into which I could not hope to follow
her. But her words gave me an idea.

"I do believe," I said, "I know the exact spot you're pining for.
To-morrow, something tells me, is Saturday. On Saturday I down tools at
twelve. Meet me on the weighing-machine at Victoria Cross a quarter after
noon and I will show you the place you seek."

"The man's a marvel," said Suzanne. "What frocks shall I pack for the
week-end?"

"We return before nightfall," I replied.

Next day I sought Suzanne at the appointed hour and station. She had taken
my words literally and was steadfastly occupying the automatic weighing
machine, with her back impassively turned upon an indignant youth who was
itching to gamble a penny on the chance of guessing his avoirdupois.
Quietly I crept behind her and placed a coin in the slot, simultaneously
pressing my foot upon the platform. Suzanne gazed with mingled horror and
fascination at the mounting indicator, and at sixteen stone jumped off with
a gasp on to my disengaged foot. For a few moments I could have believed
that the machine had recorded the truth.

When we had both regained our composure Suzanne inquired if I had got the
tickets. The moment for enlightenment had arrived.

I led her to a hoarding and placed her in front of a poster which depicted
a most alluring seaside resort. The sea was of the royalest blue, the sands
were a rich 22-carat; there was a cave in th