POLLYOOLY MEETS THE UNPLEASANT PRINCE Tea over, the Honourable John Ruffin proposed that he should take them to the sands; and Pollyooly agreed eagerly.

But as they came out of the house, two little girls, bare-legged and wearing sandals, passed them.
He looked from them to Pollyooly's stout shoes and black stockings, stopped short and said firmly: "We must change all this." He turned to the right down the street and led them into the chief shop of the village.

Apparently he was well known there, for the proprietor greeted him with respectful warmth.

He bought sandals, bathing-dresses, blue linen frocks, a sunbonnet for Pollyooly, a linen hat for the Lump, spades and buckets.
Loaded with these purchases he came out into the street, and took his way back to Mrs.Wilson's, saying: "You must hurry up and change into these things.

First impressions are so important at the seaside; people have so much leisure to be pernickety in; and you _must_ look all right!" Pollyooly was not long making the change; and when she came out of the house in the blue linen frock and sunbonnet, he smiled at her with warm approval and said: "There's no doubt about it, you have got the knack of wearing clothes, Pollyooly." To Pollyooly his utterance was entirely cryptic; but she gathered that it was complimentary and returned his smile.
He took them down to the sands; and they were soon at the height of happiness, building a castle, paddling, and picking up shells.