I meekly followed my grim guardians to the shore and sat dejectedly on my rug while they paced the sand . Francis was on the rocks . As soon as Aunt Martha and Mrs. Saxby were at a safe distance , I began my message : `` All discovered . Aunt is very angry . We go home today . '' Then I snatched my glass . His face expressed the direst consternation and dismay . He signalled : `` I must see you before you go . '' `` Impossible . Aunt will never forgive me . Good-bye . '' I saw a look of desperate determination cross his face . If forty Aunt Marthas had swooped down upon me , I could not have torn my eyes from that glass . `` I love you . You know it . Do you care for me ? I must have my answer now . '' What a situation ! No time or chance for any maidenly hesitation or softening aureole of words . Aunt and Mrs. Saxby had almost reached the point where they invariably turned .
I had barely time to spell out a plain , blunt `` yes '' and read his XXXXX .
Aunt Mrs. answer consternation dismay distance face shore time today