distance from the railway was as
yet unspoilt by a too great invasion of tourists. There were other
hotels nestling among the greenery of the woods, and Carmel wondered if
the Ingletons had arrived at one of them, and at which of the white
houses on the beach the boys were staying with Miss Mason.

As she was still gazing and speculating there was a crunch of footsteps
on the gravel behind, a voice called her name, and looking round she saw
Cousin Clare, Lilias, and Dulcie, hurrying towards her. There was an
enthusiastic greeting, followed by explanations from all three.

"We'd the greatest difficulty to get rooms!"

"The whole place seems full up!"

"They couldn't take us at the 'Eagle's Nest.'"

"We've got in at the 'Victoria,' though!"

"I wish we could have been here with you!"

"Never mind, so long as we're at Tivermouth at all!"

"Isn't it just too gorgeous for words!"

"We only arrived late last night."

"There's such heaps we want to tell you!"

There was indeed much to be told on both sides. All three girls had had
numerous experiences during the short time of their parting, and they
were anxious to compare notes. Then Cousin Clare, Lilias, and Dulcie
must be introduced to the Rogers family, who were all writing letters in
a private sitting-room, but stopped their correspondence to extend a
hearty welcome and to chat with the new-comers. In a short time the
party rearranged itself, leaving Cousin Clare to talk with Major and
Mrs. Rogers, Lilias and Dulcie arm-in-arm with Carmel on the terrace,
and Sheila, who had stepped with them out at the French window, straying
away with a young Highland officer with whom she had danced the night
before.

"Never mind Sheila--she doesn't want _us_!" laughed Carmel, squeezing
both her cousins' arms, for she was in the middle. "Oh, it's nice to see
you again! Let's walk along here to the end of the terrace. I've had all
sorts of adventures since I saw you. I was nearly drowned yesterday in a
river, only Johnson, the chauffeur, fished me out. You should have seen
me all dripping and covered with mud. And Johnson was just as bad. We
made such a mess of the car with our muddy clothes. I wonder if he's got
it clean yet? By the by, I left my post cards in the side pocket. I'd
love to show them to you. Shall we go and get them? The garage is quite
close, only just down this path. Do you mind coming?"

"Go ahead; we'd like to," agreed Dulcie.

So they plunged down th