The walk had made him warm, and the singing had made
him warmer. One or two of the women were using chance pamphlets as fans
(despite Mrs. Phillips' ill-concealed doubts), and everybody showed a
willingness to keep in the draught from the open windows.
"Is it close here?" asked the hostess anxiously. "The day is almost like
summer. If the water is anywhere nearly as warm as the air is.... Let me
see; it's a quarter to four. I have a closetful of bathing suits, all sizes
and shapes and several colors, if anybody cares to go in."
"Don't!" cried Cope explosively.
She looked at him with interest. "Have you been trying it?"
"I have. On the way along the shore. I assure you, however warm the air may
be, the bathing season is over."
"Well, I rather thought something had been happening to you. Mr. Randolph,
is it as bad as he says?"
"I'll take his word," replied Randolph. "And I think all of us had better
do the same."
"We might go down to the beach, anyway," she said. "Hortense wants to make
her color-notes, and the color will be good from now on."
Several of the party threaded their way down over the sliding sandy path
which led through the pines and junipers.
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