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 Suddenly they turned the corner, and there they were.

Mary said proudly: "There, darling, there's the sea."

Margaret said: "Isn't it lovely?"

Joan said: "Oh, look, Stephen!"

Stephen said nothing, of course.

And John opened his mouth to say something, turned very red, and burst into tears.

They were all very sorry for John—except Stephen, who was thinking of something else. The worst of it was that none of them knew what was the matter with him. Had he had too much breakfast? Or too little? Was he tired? Would he like Margaret to take him back? John couldn't tell them. He didn't know.

"What would you like to do, darling?" said Mary. "Shall we pick some lovely shells?"

John sniffed and nodded.