51 "What time shall we be at Aunt Fanny's?" asked Julian, finishing up the very last sandwich and wishing there were more.
52 "About six o'clock with luck," said Daddy. "Now who wants to stretch their legs a bit? We've another long spell in the car, you know."
53 The car seemed to eat up the miles as it purred along. Tea-time came, and then the three children began to feel excited all over again.
54 "We must watch out for the sea," said Dick. "I can smell it somewhere near!"
55 He was right. The car suddenly topped a hill- and there, was the shining blue sea, calm and smooth in the evening sun. The three children gave a yell.
56 "There it is!"
57 "Isn't it marvellous!"
58 "Oh, I want to bathe this very minute!"
59 "We shan't be more than twenty minutes now, before we're at Kirrin Bay," said Daddy. "We've made good time. You'll see the bay soon- it's quite a big one- with a funny sort of island at the entrance of the bay."
60 The children looked out for it as they drove along the coast. Then Julian gave a shout.
61 "There it is- that must be Kirrin Bay. Look, Dick- isn't it lovely and blue?"
62 "And look at the rocky little island guarding the entrance of the bay," said Dick. "I'd like to visit that."
63 "Well, I've no doubt you will," said Mother. "Now, let's look out for Aunt Fanny's house. It's called Kirrin Cottage."
64 They soon came to it. It stood on the low cliff overlooking the bay, and was a very old house indeed. It wasn't really a cottage, but quite a big house, built of old white stone. Roses climbed over the front of it, and the garden was gay with flowers.
65 "Here's Kirrin Cottage," said Daddy, and he stopped the car in front of it. "It's supposed to be about three hundred years old! Now- where's Quentin? Hallo, there's Fanny!"
66 Chapter Two. THE STRANGE COUSIN
67The children's aunt had been watching for the car. She came running out of the old wooden door as soon as she saw it draw up outside. The children liked the look of her at once.
68 "Welcome to Kirrin!" she cried. "Hallo, all of you! It's lovely to see you. And what big children!"
69 There were kisses all round, and then the children went into the house. They liked it. It felt old and rather mysterious somehow, and the furniture was old and very beautiful.
70 "Where's Georgina?" asked Anne, looking round for her unknown cousin.
71 "Oh, the naughty girl! I told her to wait in the garden for you," said her aunt. "Now she's gone off somewhere. I must tell you, children, you may find George a bit difficult at first- she's always been one on her own, you know. And at first may not like you being here. But you mustn't take any notice of that- she'll be all right in a short time. I was very glad for George's sake that you were able to come. She badly needs other children to play with."
