"We haven't done it since we came,
and surely our vacation wouldn't be complete without one."
"Or more," said Mollie, seconding the plan with enthusiasm, "Come on.
Let's tell Mrs. Irving where we are going. Maybe she will wish to go
along, but I doubt it."
Mollie was right: Mrs. Irving did not wish to go, and the girls rushed
upstairs to don bathing suits in preparation for the lark.
A few minutes later they were racing like slim young ghosts through
the woods, laughing and calling to each other and entirely abandoned
to the joy of the moment.
"Race you to the old swimming hole," Mollie called out, as they neared
the river; and away they all raced in response to the challenge.
Betty won, in spite of the fact that Mollie had had a short head
start, and the girls, wild in their exuberance, would have lifted her
to their shoulders had not Betty herself laughingly fought them off.
"I have another challenge," she cried. "My fresh box of candy to
whoever swims to the other side of the swimming hole first. Are you
on?"
"We're on!" yelled Grace enthusiastically, adding: "I'd swim from here
to Jericho for that box of candy, Betty.
Pages:
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198