midday
As she lay in bed that night , her mind a confused jumble of the day 's happenings , one thought rose clear above the medley -- the memory of his last words to her : `` You need never imagine you 're not wanted at the Cottage . I like to think of you there . '' Under Brett Forrester 's tutelage , Ann 's progress in the art of swimming proceeded apace . Since his arrival at White Windows , the weather had been perfect -- still , dewy mornings , veiled in mist , melting by midday into a blaze of deep blue skies and brilliant sunshine -- and every day Ann and Mrs. Hilyard , accompanied by Forrester and very often by Robin in addition , might have been seen descending to Berrier Cove , the favourite bathing beach of the neighbourhood . Quite frequently , too , Lady Susan would join them in the water -- she was an excellent straight-forward swimmer , though `` without any monkey tricks , '' as she regretfully acknowledged . On these occasions the Tribes of Israel would sit in a mournful row along the shore , watching the proceedings with concerned brown eyes . They themselves , individually and collectively , exhibited an unfeigned distaste for every form of aquatic sport which , Brett wickedly suggested , might be due to some subconscious atavistic emotion relative to the Red Sea episode .