He was still standing there with his hat off . July Twenty-fourth . On Monday afternoon I slipped away to the shore while Aunt Martha and Mrs. Saxby were taking their regular nap and I was supposed to be reading sermons in my room . Mr. Shelmardine was leaning against the old boat , but he came swiftly across the sand to meet me . `` This is very kind of you , '' he said . `` I ought not to have come , '' I said repentantly . `` But it is so lonely there -- and one ca n't be interested in sermons and memoirs all the time . '' Mr. Shelmardine laughed . `` Mr. and Mrs. Allardyce are on the other side of the boat . Will you come and meet them ? '' How nice of him to bring them ! I knew I should like Mrs. Allardyce , just because Aunt Martha did n't . We had a delightful stroll . I never thought of the time until Mr. Shelmardine said it was four o'clock . `` Oh , is it so late as that ? '' I cried . `` I must go at once . '' `` I 'm sorry we have kept you so long , '' remarked Mr. Shelmardine in a tone of concern . `` If she should be awake , what will the consequences be ? '' `` Too terrible to think of , '' I answered seriously .
`` I 'm sorry , Mr. XXXXX , but you must n't come any further . '' ''
Allardyce Aunt Martha Mrs. Saxby Shelmardine Twenty-fourth afternoon o'clock sand