About this story
Overhead, your mother Betty sits apart with a letter that later blows loose in the wind, long enough for you to glimpse the signature, Captain Barfoot, before she folds it away. That night Barfoot calls at the lodging house, your mother sends the boys upstairs, and a door that will not quite latch leaves you free to listen.
How it opens
Scarborough's tide withdrew across shining sand while the cliffs kept the wind.
Betty FlandersJacob, stay where Archer can see you from the bathing tent.
Your mother's voice traveled badly among gulls, waves, and other children's cries.
Archer FlandersHe was beside the breakwater when I counted last.
RebeccaThe tide returns quickly here, young sir, whatever treasure you have found.
Choose
It has horns, so it cannot be an ordinary stone.
Archer dared me to bring it back.