Part full of water, the boat was flung upon the beach, the men springing out and dragging its nose to the gate-posts.

Sheldon had called vainly to the house-boys, who, at the moment, were dosing the remaining patients in the hospital.

He knew he was unable to rise up and go down the path to meet the newcomers, so he lay back in the steamer- chair, and watched for ages while they cared for the boat.

The woman stood to one side, her hand resting on the gate.

Occasionally surges of sea water washed over her feet, which he could see were encased in rubber sea-boots.