“Come on,” cried Susie.

“My feet is tired.  Susie, it’s Dick.”

But Susie was far ahead.

“Susie!” he called again.

Wet and miserable, he sat stolidly down upon a rock.

“If Susie leaves me I shall weep,” he said out loud.

CHAPTER VIII.

It was growing dusk, and the line of gold upon the sea had merged into the gray twilight around.  A drizzling rain fell like a veil between Susie and the shore, and suddenly she remembered that for some time she had not heard Dick’s pleading voice.  Instantly all the excitement and pleasure of the stolen hour fell away from her, and with a frightened pang at her heart she began a frantic search over the slippery rocks, flying in heedless haste and shouting as she ran.

Her terror and tears impressed even the twins, though they were a little inclined to mock.  They too rushed and splashed from rock to rock, making difficult and dangerous leaps that only bare toes made possible.  The pools between the rocks were full of water, and there was no yellow reflection now from the wind-tossed sky.  Susie felt despairing; but suddenly, almost at her feet, she heard Dick’s uncomplaining little voice, “It’s me, Susie.  I knew you would come back; I am so glad.  My toe has got hurt, and I have sitted here till all my clothes has got wet.”

“How tiresome he is!” said Dot impatiently.  “What a tiresome, silly little boy!  That’s always the way with babies; they spoil all your fun.”

“I’m not a baby,” said Dick defiantly.

“Well, you’re very like one.  Every one will know now, and a jolly row you’ve got us into.”

“I’ll tell you what,” said Dash, in a hissing whisper into Susie’s ear.  “Let’s run back to the shore, and then they’ll think he went alone.”

“Come on, Susie, or we shall be drenched,” said Dot.  “When once we’ve got on our shoes and stockings we can easily rush out and rescue him.  Look at the white horses, and the waves against the island.  We are really a good way out, but we could rescue him in two minutes, and your mother would be grateful to us.”

But Susie was not listening.  The twins’ suggestions beat on her brain, and found no entrance.  All the best of Susie—­the real, comfortable Susie—­brimming over with a love that was almost motherly, was in the kind, quivering face she bent over Dick as he held out his tired arms.

In a minute she was down beside him, stroking and folding him close, till his sobbing breaths were stifled on her shoulder.

“Oh, do come on, Susie!” said the twins; “we can’t stay another minute.  If you won’t leave him you’ll be caught, and you will never be allowed to play with us again.”