a few minutes before noon
The sun rose gloriously , lighting up the heavens as he emerged from his eastern bed with a fan-shaped outpouring of his rays which streamed up over one hemisphere of the heavens , painting the edges of myriads of small fleecy clouds with a transient crimson splendour . The sea was almost glass-like in its calmness , only heaving up and down sluggishly , as though reluctant to be moved in its mighty depths . But , further out , a gentle breeze was filling the snowy sail of some graceful cutter as it stole across the bay , or steadily swelled out the canvas of some stately ship as she sped on with all sail crowded on her towards the desired harbour . Just a few minutes before noon , Amos , with beating heart , saw his friend the physician conducting two ladies to a sunny bench on the edge of the shingles , facing the open sea . `` Let us go , '' he said to his brother and sister , `` and walk near them , but take no notice at first . '' So they all repaired to the beach , and with deeply anxious hearts drew near the little group . Which of the two ladies was their mother ?