e, ma'am, I wouldn't like to hasten your
movements for worlds, you look so comfortable!" said the old sailor
satirically. "Perhaps you'd allow me to mention, however, just in a
friendly way, that it is now half-past five o'clock, and the steamer
starts at six!"

This made Mrs Gilmour jump up so suddenly that she spilt her tea, which
made them laugh; and all set to work in a merry mood to collect their
traps for the return journey, the good lady saying she would "never
forgive the Captain" for not telling her the time before.

The coastguardsman had to shoulder the hamper when packed, as well as
carry the empty water-jar; for, both Bob and Dick, whose respective
burdens these had previously been, had rushed off soon after luncheon
and when all interest in making a fire and boiling the kettle had
ceased, down to the shore, where presently the truants were discovered.

They were wading in the sea, without their shoes and stockings, in high
glee, and hunting amongst the rocks for anemones and corallines for the
aquarium, having already nearly filled with specimens Nellie's useful
little tin bucket, from which her poor nosegay had been ruthlessly
removed.

"Hullo, you boys!" sang out the Captain on catching sight of them, after
consulting his watch; "you'll have to come out of that at once. Time's
up, for the steamer will be due in another five minutes. Look sharp!"

"Do stop a moment," answered Bob, just then busy at the base of a rock
close by the pier, which was nearly awash with the incoming tide, "I've
found such a jolly sea-anemone here. Come and see it, please, Captain."

"Are you sure it's not a weed?" called back the old sailor a trifle
impatiently. "We can't waste any time on rubbish!"

"Of course not; I should think I ought to know an anemone by now, sir!"
cried Bob, rather indignant at being supposed capable of making such a
mistake, albeit his knowledge on the subject, it must be confessed, was
but slight and only lately acquired. "It is coloured beautifully, and
looks like a purple chrysanthemum."

"By Jove!" exclaimed the Captain, forgetting the steamer and his fatigue
alike as he hurried towards the spot where Bob was paddling in the water
and Dick standing close by, bucket in hand. "Why, it's the very thing
I've been hunting for, missy, to set off your aquarium."

"Mind you don't get your feet wet!" called out Mrs Gilmour, in great
solicitude, as he went off in keen ardour to assist the boys