“Yes; he owns property out there in which there are mines of great value,” said Harold.
“Ah? I was not aware of that fact, and he did not mention it,” returned Croly; “but in reply to a remark of mine, that I had been paying some attention to mineralogy and thought of going out to examine some land father owns in Arizona, he gave me a good deal of interesting information, such as I have not been able to find in any publication on the subject that I have got hold of as yet.”
“And should you question him on naval matters, or the history of our wars—or indeed history of any part of the world, I believe he could furnish all the information you might happen to want,” said Herbert.
“Yes,” said Walter, “it’s my decided belief that Brother Levis knows about as much on almost every subject as you could find in any of the cyclopædias.”
“That’s very strong, Walter,” laughed Edward. “The captain is, without doubt, a highly educated, intelligent, and well-read man, yet hardly a walking cyclopædia; a compliment at which no one would laugh more heartily than himself, for he hasn’t a particle of self-conceit in his make-up.”
“Now you are complimenting him very highly, Ned,” said Mr. Dinsmore, “yet are not saying more than he deserves. I know of no man for whom I have a higher esteem than Captain Raymond.”
“And I can echo my father’s sentiments. He is a noble Christian man, the best of husbands and fathers,” said Mrs. Travilla. “I know of no man with whom I could feel better satisfied as the husband of one of my daughters. Evidently he makes Violet very happy.”
“And his children from the oldest to the youngest fairly idolize him,” remarked Zoe.
“And you do not object to him as a brother-in-law?” said Rosie interrogatively.
“On the contrary I like him extremely in that capacity,” was the quick, emphatic rejoinder.
“Mamma,” said Rosie insinuatingly, “Captain Raymond thinks a great deal of you, and as you are his mother, he ought to do as you say; most assuredly in regard to his treatment of your own children. Won’t you please send him word this morning that we ought to be allowed a holiday next week? Do now; there’s a good, kind mamma.”
“Would you have me say what I do not think, Rosie dear?” queried her mother in return, and with an amused look into the bright eyes of her youngest daughter.