Chapter 10

           Thesummereveninghadbeguntofoldtheworldinitsmysteriousembrace.Farawayinthewestthesunwassettingandthelastglowofalltoofleetingdaylingeredlovinglyonseaandstrand,ontheproudpromontoryofdearoldHowthguardingaseverthewatersofthebay,ontheweedgrownrocksalongSandymountshoreand,lastbutnotleast,onthequietchurchwhencetherestreamedforthattimesuponthestillnessthevoiceofprayertoherwhoisinherpureradianceabeaconevertothestormtossedheartofman,Mary,starofthesea.

           Thethreegirlfriendswereseatedontherocks,enjoyingtheeveningsceneandtheairwhichwasfreshbutnottoochilly.Manyatimeandoftweretheywonttocometheretothatfavouritenooktohaveacosychatbesidethesparklingwavesanddiscussmattersfeminine,CissyCaffreyandEdyBoardmanwiththebabyinthepushcarandTommyandJackyCaffrey,twolittlecurlyheadedboys,dressedinsailorsuitswithcapstomatchandthenameH.M.S.Belleisleprintedonboth.ForTommyandJackyCaffreyweretwins,scarcefouryearsoldandverynoisyandspoiledtwinssometimesbutforallthatdarlinglittlefellowswithbrightmerryfacesandendearingwaysaboutthem.Theyweredabblinginthesandwiththeirspadesandbuckets,buildingcastlesaschildrendo,orplayingwiththeirbigcolouredball,happyasthedaywaslong.AndEdyBoardmanwasrockingthechubbybabytoandfrointhepushcarwhilethatyounggentlemanfairlychuckledwithdelight.