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They went on to the beach. There were many other children there, but they were much too happy to take any notice of the Merryweather family.
"Now," said Mary, "let's see who can find the prettiest shell. Oh, look at this one!"
"Oh, and this one, Mary!" said Margaret.
"We'll put them in my bag," said Mary. "Would you like to hold the bag, darling?"
"Yeth," said John meekly. Afraid to look at it again, he stood with his back to the sea, and dropped the shells into the bag as they were given to him. Why had the sea made him cry like that? He didn't know. Perhaps Stephen . . .
He looked at Stephen.
No, it was no good asking Stephen.
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