JustbeforethePerkinsInstitutionclosedforthesummer,itwasarrahatmyteacherandIshouldspendourvacationatBrewster,onCapeCod,withourdearfriend,Mrs.Hopkins.Iwasdelighted,formymindwasfulloftheprospectivejoysandofthewonderfulstoriesIhadheardaboutthesea.

    Mymostvividrecolleofthatsummeristheo.Ihadalwayslivedfarinlandandhadneverhadsomuchasawhiffofsaltair;butIhadreadinabigbookcalled"OurWorld"adescriptionoftheowhichfilledmewithwonderandanintenselongingtotouchthemightyseaaroar.Somylittleheartleapedhighwitheagerexcitementwhehatmywishwasatlasttoberealized.

    NosoonerhadIbeenhelpedintomybathing-suitthanIsprangoutuponthewarmsandandwithoutthoughtoffearpluothecoolwater.Ifeltthegreatbillowsrodsink.Thebuoyantmotionofthewaterfilledmewithanexquisite,quiveringjoy.Suddenlymyecstasygaveplacetoterror;formyfootstruckagainstarodtheinstanttherewasarushofwaterovermyhead.Ithrustoutmyhandstograspsomesupport,Iclutchedatthewaterandattheseaweedwhichthewavestossedinmyface.Butallmyfranticeffortswereinvain.Thewavesseemedtobeplayingagamewithme,andtossedmefromooaheirwildfrolic.Itwasfearful!Thegood,firmearthhadslippedfrommyfeet,ahingseemedshutoutfromthisstrange,all-envelopi--life,air,warmthandlove.Atlast,however,thesea,asifwearyofitsoy,threwmebatheshore,andinanotherinstantIwasclaspedinmyteachersarms.Oh,thefortofthelong,tenderembrace!AssoonasIhadrecoveredfrommypanicsuffitlytosayanything,Idemanded:"Whoputsaltier?”

    AfterIhadrecoveredfrommyfirstexperiehewater,Ithoughtitgreatfuntositonabi