CHAPTER II.
TOM, DICK, AND HARRY "Jumping Grasshoppers! What a dandy house!" The Maynards' motor swung into the driveway of a large and pleasant looking place, whose lawn showed some sand spots here and there, and whose trees were tall pines, but whose whole effect was delightfully breezy and seashorey.
"Oh, grandiferous!" cried Marjorie, echoing her brother's enthusiastic tones, and standing up in the car, better to see their new home.
Seacote, the place chosen by Mr.Maynard for his family's summering, was on the southern shore of Long Island, not very far from Rockaway Beach.
It was a sort of park or reservation in which building was under certain restrictions, and so it was made up of pleasant homes filled with pleasant people.
Fortunately, Mr.Maynard had been able to rent the bungalow he wanted, and it was this picturesque domicile that so roused King's admiration.
The house was long and low, and surrounded by verandas, some of which were screened by vines, and others shaded by striped awnings.
But what most delighted the children was the fact that the ocean rolled its crested breakers up to their very door.

Not literally to the door, for the road ran between the sea and the house, and a boardwalk was between the road and the sea.

But not fifty feet from their front windows the shining waves were even now dashing madly toward them as if in tumultuous welcome.
The servants were already installed, and the open doors seemed to invite the family to come in and make themselves at home.
"Let's go straight bang through the whole house," said King, "and then outdoors afterward." "All right," agreed Marjorie, and in their usual impetuous fashion, the two raced through the house from attic to cellar, though there really wasn't any attic, except a sort of low-ceiled loft.

However, they climbed up into this, and then down through the various bedrooms on the second floor, and back to the first floor, which contained the large living-room, a spacious hall, and the dining-room and kitchen.
"It's all right," said King, nodding his head in approval.

"Now outside, Midget." Outside they flew, and took stock of their surroundings.