“We must make a collection of curiosities,” Billy said,—“shells and horse-shoes and all such things.”
“I can show you where there are beautiful stones,” said Sam. “I have got a little bookcase where we can keep them, and we can label them just as they do in the Museum.”
As Sam spoke, the clear notes of a horn were heard from the direction of the house. “That’s for me,” said Sam. “They always blow that horn when they want me, and I guess it’s about time for lunch.”
So the two boys went toward the house, carrying as many of their “curiosities” as they could take, and Jack followed.
The fresh sea air had sharpened the appetites of the boys, and of Jack, too, but they spent as little time at the table as possible, they were in such a hurry to go back to their play on the beach.
In these pleasures the days passed so rapidly that Sam’s birthday came around before he had thought it was anywhere near the time for it. Jack appeared every day with great regularity, and never let them out of his sight. Even while they were eating their meals, he lay under the dining-room windows, in order that he might be on hand if they required his services.
“What should you like to do to celebrate your birthday, Sam?” asked his grandpapa one morning at the breakfast table.
“I know what I should _like_ to do,” replied Sam, who usually knew just what he wanted, “but I don’t suppose there is any chance of my doing it.”
“Well, you know those children who were so good to Billy? The ones you gave the cakes to, you know. Billy and I have been thinking how much they would like to be here and run on the beach and see the colt and the puppies. Billy said if he had lots of money he would just send for them to come here and have a good time. It is awfully hot in that part of the city where they live, Billy says, and it smells awfully bad, too.”
“I know it does, Sam,” replied Grandpapa, very seriously, “and I wish we could take all the children out of the hot city and let them run about in the fields and on the beach as you and Billy do.”
“I _knew_ it couldn’t be done,” said Sam with a sigh.
“We can’t take care of _all_ the children in the city, Sam,” replied Grandpapa, “but I think we can manage to give these three a taste of the country.”
