ONE day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames. The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer-now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels-now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
After they landed, the mother and children sat on the beach, while Michael and Harry went in search of their lodgings. Both families had engaged rooms in the same row of cottages, and were within three minutes' walk of each other close to the sea.
Quite a friendship had been formed between them since John's death, and when Harry Gray proposed a week's visit to the sea, they fell in with it at once. The fathers could only stay from Saturday until Wednesday, and return and take their families home, but all were in high spirits at the prospect of a few days' holiday, and Ben and Kit were not among the least delighted.
School discipline had very much improved Ben. He had dropped his rough words, was beginning to read very well, and could write a little too, and Mr. Goodall promised to take him as his message boy in October, if he continued to make progress.
Mr. Goodall had a shop of stationery, fancy goods, desks, work-boxes, trinkets, and better class ornaments. So Ben was very anxious to get on with his lessons, and looked forward eagerly to again earning his living.
Little Kit was fast losing her pale cheeks and thin limbs; a nice color often showed in her face, and her arms and hands were getting quite plump and brown. Her father and mother could scarcely bear her out of their sight, she was the light of their eyes. Ben was often astonished at the fun and spirit she showed; though she was quiet and gentle at times, yet occasionally she made them all merry with her funny ways and lively pranks.
The morning after their arrival at the sea, the little party were grouped upon the sand, the elder ones for the most part watching the children's enjoyment, and helping them to build up sand-houses, make heaps and holes, and fill their buckets with the salt water. What a change this for the two little ones who, for almost all their lives had known no other pleasures than those to be found in Peter's Street! After a while the children-Ben, Kit, Willie, and Nellie Craig-ran off to a piece of sand some distance away, and the parents began talking together.
They spoke of the one who was gone, and of his happiness with the Lord Jesus. The poor old mother shed some tears, but they were not those of rebellion; she rejoiced to know that her son was beyond all sorrow and pain, and she was glad not to have "to leave him behind her," when her call came. Michael being "off duty" had left his "stern" look behind, and was much enjoying a lounge on the beach. He had felt the loss of his brother keenly, and had found great comfort in the friendship of Harry Gray, who was able to point to "John's Savior.”
The two young mothers found plenty to talk about, as they sat with their babies beside them. They spoke of past joys and sorrows, of little ones gone before-for each had lost a child-and of the different tempers and dispositions of those left under their care.
"We thought our Kittie had neither temper nor faults, for some time after we found her, but now that her health is coming back, we find out she is a bit quick like the rest.”
"It is better they should have a little spirit, though it needs checking," replied Mrs. Craig.
In the midst of their conversation they were startled by a cry from Kit, and in a moment Michael and Harry were on their feet. The children had been busy digging, and had not noticed that the tide on coming in had formed quite a little island of the piece of sand on which they were playing.
When little Kit lifted her eyes and saw herself surrounded by water, she was very frightened; and her sharp cry caused the two boys to look up, and the two men to rise to their feet. The water was running quickly round the island of sand, and every instant reduced it in size. Harry Gray and Michael took off their boots as quickly as possible, and ran to relieve the little company. One caught up Kittie and Willie, and the other, Nellie; Ben, who was tugging away at his boots trying to get them off, waded through the water with them; and by the time they reached dry land, the island had disappeared.
"I fort we was going to be drowned, and never see you any more, father, "sobbed Kit, as she clung to his neck.
"No fear, my darling, while I am here," he answered.
"You will have to watch when the water comes in, children," said the mother laughing, as she received Kit from her father; "and now I think you had better all take off your shoes and socks, and wade in the sea.
The proposal was quickly agreed to, and in a few minutes the children were paddling away. Kit and Willie were a little shy at first, but soon got up to their courage, and splashed away like the little ones around them; and baby Harry had his little legs rubbed with the salt water, and seemed quite to enjoy it.
Willie Craig was rather a rough little boy; he had been humored and spoiled by his mother while very small, and now she often found it difficult to control him. While wading, he filled his hands with salt water and flung it over Ben. The water ran down Ben's neck, and he turned round with an annoyed face to tell Willie to stop. But Kit, who stood near, took it upon herself to correct Willie for teasing her "bestest boy," and, to the surprise of all, leaned forward and administered a hearty slap on Willie's back, but at the same time she overbalanced herself and fell in the water.
Ben had her out in a moment, but all her clothes were wet, and little Kit was very much frightened, both at what she had done to Willie and the wetting she had got. Her lip quivered with her sobs, and she was in much distress.
"You are unfortunate this morning," said Michael, kindly.
"It will do her no harm," said her father, laughing.
"But Kittie was in a temper, I fear," added mother, "and that was the cause of her fall.”
Father opened his eyes very wide and whistled. "Kittie in a temper! That's something quite new. What have little girls to do with tempers?”
"Oh, nothing at all," said Mrs. Craig, "and I'm sure Kittie did not mean it. Willie is very rough at times.”
Kit hung down her head and began to cry, and Ben, though he was very much surprised to see her raise her little hand against anyone, yet came at once to her help. He put his arms around her.
"She didn't like to see me being splashed; she loves me that much, for she had only me at one time, and she forgot it was wrong, didn't you, Kit? You'll see she'll make it up with him and be friends in a minute.”
Kit raised her blue eyes full of tears, and put up quivering lips to kiss Willie Craig, who turn, was quite ashamed.
And so Kit's first quarrel was made up, and her mother took her home to change her clothes, for they were wet through.
“I didn't think Kit had such a spirit," said her father. "It shows she is getting stronger though," he added, with some satisfaction.
"Does it?" asked Ben, eagerly. "Hoor-ay!" and he went head over heels along the sand, to the amusement of the rest of the party.
They spent an hour or two during the afternoon in an open boat on the sea. The children dipped their hands in the water, while Harry and Michael sang to them, and then they all joined in a hymn, and enjoyed the sweet sea-breeze which fanned their faces as the sun began to sink in the sky.