"Papa! Papa!" shouted little Elsie and the baby boy, running to meet him.
"Papa's darlings!" the Captain said, stooping to caress and fondle them; then, taking them in his arms, he followed Donald up the porch-steps, Max close in his rear.
"Take a seat, Cousin Donald," said Violet. "We are glad to see you all back again. I have been wondering, my dear, what important business you had to keep you so long away from me and your children."
"It was rather important," returned the Captain, pleasantly. "Max," with an indulgent smile into the lad's eager face, "you may have the pleasure of telling where we have been and what we have done."
"Oh, thank you, sir!" cried Max, and proceeded to avail himself of the permission, going into an enthusiastic description of the beautiful "Dolphin," and winding up with the news that Papa had bought her, and expected to take their whole party--or, at least, as many of them as would like to go--coasting along the shores of all the Atlantic States of New England, and for some distance out to sea.
Lulu was dancing with delight, hugging and kissing her father in a transport of joy, before Max's story came to an end.
"Oh, Papa, how good,--how good and kind you are!" she exclaimed. "I don't think anything could be pleasanter than such a trip as that. It'll be the greatest fun that ever was. And you'll command the vessel yourself, won't you? I do hope so; for I am sure nobody else could do it half so well."
"What a flatterer my eldest daughter can show herself to be!" he said, with a good-humoured laugh. "Yes, I do expect to take command of the dainty little craft,--a small affair, indeed, compared with a man-of-war. My dear," turning to Violet, "we have yet to hear from you on this subject. I hope you approve of your husband's purchase."
"Entirely, Levis. In fact, I am quite as much delighted as Lulu seems to be," she answered, smiling up into his face. "What could be more enjoyable than sailing about in such a vessel, with a retired naval officer in command? When am I to see your 'Dolphin'?"
"Yours quite as much as mine, my dear," he replied. "You have only to say the word at any time, and I will take you over to look at her."
"Oh, will you?" she exclaimed. "Then suppose we all go over this afternoon, and see what she is like."