"Well, whoever you are, you're a dear," said the stranger, the emphasis showing how quickly she was gaining strength. "I remember now all about it. Mother and dad have told me over and over that I must not come over here alone; but the day was perfect for a swim and no one else would come, so I slipped off by myself. I was swimming all right, and then I was taken with cramps. Oh, oh, it was terrible!" and she covered her face with her hands to shut out the memory.
"Don't think of it," said Amy compassionately, kneeling down beside the girl and taking the cold hand in hers. "It's all over now, and you are safe and sound. Try just to remember that."
The girl looked up wonderingly at the sweet girlish faces gathered about her. "I think you must be a--a company of angels," a sharp sob broke the attempt at a laugh--for she was still very weak. "You are all so good to me I----"
"You would have done the same for any of us," said Betty, trying hard to keep her voice matter-of-fact. "So you needn't thank us for it. How are you feeling--better?"
"A great deal," answered the girl, with a grateful glance toward Betty. "I almost feel as if I could stand up."
"If you want to try, one of the boys will help you," Grace suggested, turning to the latter, who had been standing several feet back from the little group, natural delicacy forbidding them to intrude.
But now, being thus appealed to for help, they stepped forward like one person, offering assistance. They helped the girl to her feet and steadied her as she stood, weak and trembling.
She looked from one to the other with a wan little smile on her lips. "Which one of you have I to thank for--for saving me?" she asked.
"None of us," said Roy, with an attempt at gallantry which was rendered funny by his extremely sodden aspect. "It was a pleasure."
Noting the girl's bewilderment, Betty hastened to explain. "They all did it," she said; "but if credit is due to any one of them it must be given to Allen for reaching you first."
"Nonsense!" said Allen, abashed at being brought into the limelight. "I was nearer than the other fellows, that's all. What's the use of talking about it, anyway?"
"There is a good deal of use, I think," the girl answered softly. "If you people hadn't been so good and kind to me, I would have----" she paused before the word, and shivered again in her weakness.