Anne went up to her.
"I'm sorry I nearly made a mistake, George," she said.
"Here's your bread and cheese.
I've brought it for you.
I promise I'll never forget not to mention Tim again."
George sat up.
"I've a good mind not to take you to see the wreck," she said.
"Stupid baby!"
Anne's heart sank.
This was what she had feared.
"Well," she said, "you needn't take me, of course.
But you might take the boys, George.
After all, they didn't do anything silly.
And anyway, you gave me an awful kick.
Look at the bruise."
George looked at it. Then she looked at Anne.
"But wouldn't you be miserable if I took Julian and Dick without you?" she asked.
"Of course," said Anne.
"But I don't want to make them miss a treat, even if I have to."
Then George did a surprising thing for her.
She gave Anne a hug!
Then she immediately looked most ashamed of herself, for she felt sure that no boy would have done that!
And she always tried to act like a boy.
"It's all right," she said, gruffly, taking the bread and cheese.
"You were nearly very silly— and I gave you a kick— so it's all square.
Of course you can come this afternoon."
Anne sped back to tell the boys that everything was all right— and in fifteen minutes' time four children ran down to the beach.
By a boat was a brown-faced fisher-boy, about fourteen years old.
He had Timothy with him.
"Boat's all ready, Master George," he said with a grin.
"And Tim's ready, too."
"Thanks," said George, and told the others to get in.
Timothy jumped in, too, his big tail wagging nineteen to the dozen.
George pushed the boat off into the surf and then jumped in herself.
She took the oars.
She rowed splendidly, and the boat shot along over the blue bay. It was a wonderful afternoon, and the children loved the movement of the boat over the water.
Timothy stood at the prow and barked whenever a wave reared its head.
"He's funny on a wild day," said George, pulling hard.
"He barks madly at the big waves, and gets so angry if they splash him.
He's an awfully good swimmer."
"Isn't it nice to have a dog with us?" said Anne, anxious to make up for her mistake.
"I do so like him."
"Woof," said Timothy, in his deep voice and turned round to lick Anne's ear.
"I'm sure he knew what I said," said Anne in delight.
"Of course he did," said George.
"He understands every single word."
"I say— we're getting near to your island now," said Julian, in excitement.
"It's bigger than I thought.
And isn't the castle exciting?"
They drew near to the island, and the children saw that there were sharp rocks all round about it.