And I would never see it at all most of the time if it weren’t for their reactions, which force me to see an indecent allusion after a bit. But it makes me feel as if they look on me as backward and stupid, and I’m not stupid, I’m not!” “No, you most certainly are not. You are about the cleverest of the bunch as far as mind goes,” he agreed. “Just wriggle your little toes again, Maro. I like to see them squirm that way in the sand-they’re too cute for words.”

“You’re a horrid great silly yourself!” proclaimed his pretty sister-in-law turning full upon her back and thrusting the dainty toes deeply into the soft sand for concealment. “And why should I be taking you for a confidant in these matters, I can’t think. And another thing-that Gerry Crandall snatched up one of Mildred’s bare feet when he got up to go and he kissed her toes. And she kicked at him with the other foot and, well, she certainly needed bloomers or something at that instant. Of course all this would never have happened if you hadn’t been right there, grinning and taking it as a joke, for she’s devoted to you. You know that very well.”

“You sweet babe!” whispered her companion so low as to make it apparent that he hardly knew he was audible in his exclamation.

The gray and admirable eyes turned swiftly upon him in surprise while the dusky gold of her head lay still. It was clear that Marion had intended an admonition against an exclamation worded too affectionately. But she started when she saw his reddened face glow amid its tan, the brown eyes glow even more noticeably, and the fine lips and the strong fingers none too steady.

“What-what-!” she stammered, stricken into immobility by his visible and inexplicable agitation.

Stanley drew a long breath and passed the back of a sun-bronzed hand over his eyes. “It’s your position, little Miss Innocence,” he remarked. “Your position and the fact that Mildred hardly realized, no doubt, how your lovely body would strain the light mesh of that bathing garment.”