noon
It was the bathing hour , when those who had much energy plunged through and through the breakers , those who had little floundered in the edge of the foam , and those who had none sat upright under the awnings , lorgnette in hand , and passed judgment upon their fellows . The tall , sinewy bathing master sat on the shore , his yellow collie beside him , enjoying an interval of well-earned leisure , for at this season he was the most conspicuous and the most popular figure on Quantuck beach . Just now , he was looking on in manifest pride at the skill of his latest pupil , Phebe McAlister . Even Dragons ' Row fell silent , when Phebe took to the water for her noon bath . It was good to see her free , firm step as she came down the board walk , dressed in the plain black suit which set off her fresh , clear skin and her bright hair . Phebe scorned caps entirely , and no sunburn could roughen her cheeks . Her suit fitted her , and she was as trim and comely in it as in her more conventional raiment .