"Well, papa, where shall we go, or what shall we do, to-day?" asked
Grace one bright September morning as they sat about the breakfast
table on board the _Dolphin_.
"Let me hear the wishes of all three of you in regard to that matter,"
he said in his accustomed pleasant tones. "Evelyn, what have you to
say? Have you any plans you would like carried out?"
"No, sir, thank you," she replied. "I shall be perfectly contented to
stay on the _Dolphin_ or go anywhere you and the girls wish."
"I think we have seen all the points of interest about here," he said.
"However, if you would like to pay a second visit to any one of them
you have only to say so."
Just as the captain spoke a sailor came in with the mail-bag.
"Ah," said Grace, "I hope there is a letter from Mamma Vi saving that
she and the rest will be here to-day or to-morrow."
"Yes, so do I," said Lucilla. "We have had a lovely time while they
have been away, but I shall be delighted to have them back again."
"Yes," said her father, "here is a letter from her to me." Then
opening and glancing over it: "They are coming back to-day, and may be
expected by the train that gets into Cleveland near tea-time. I must
go for them; and you, Lucilla--you and Grace--may see that everything
about the cabin and staterooms is in good order for their comfort and
enjoyment."
"Yes, papa, we will," they answered promptly, Lucilla adding with a
merry look, "We will do the work ourselves if that is your wish."
"Oh, no," he said; "I only meant that you should oversee it, and make
sure that nothing is left undone which would add to their comfort."
"I wish we had some flowers to ornament the rooms with," said Grace.
"You shall have," replied her father. "I have sent for some by the man
who has gone to the city to do the marketing."
"Oh, that's good!" exclaimed Lucilla. "Papa, I believe one may always
trust you to think of everything."
"I am not so sure of that," he said with a smile. "But it is very well
for my daughters to think so."
"I do, papa," said Grace. "Lu can't have any more confidence in you
than I have."
"Nor than I," said Evelyn. "And I am very proud of the privilege
accorded me some time ago of considering you my brother, captain."
"Ah? I think I am the one to feel honored by the relationship," he
returned laughingly.
"We will start for home pretty soon, father, won't we?" asked Grace.
"I presume so; we will consult the others on that subject when they
come. Are you growing homesick?"
"Almost," she answered, but in a cheery tone. "I have enjoyed our
outings on the Hudson and here ever so much, but ours is such a sweet
home that I begin to long to see it again."
"Well, dear child, I hope to be able to gratify that wish before
long," he replied in kindly, affectionate tones. "I am very glad you
love your home."
"It is certainly worthy of her love," said Evelyn. "I don't know a
more delightful place; yet it would not be half so charming without
the dear people who live in it."
"It certainly would not be to me without the wife and children who
share it with me," said the captain.
They had not left the table long when flowers were brought aboard in
variety and abundance, and they had a very enjoyable time arranging
them in vases, and placing those where they could be seen to the best
advantage.
"There," said Lucilla when their labors were completed; "they will do
very well while the _Dolphin_ stands still, but if she takes to
rolling, as I have known her to do at times in the past, we'll have to
empty the water out of the vases or it will empty itself where it is
not wanted at all."
"Yes," said her father, "but I think you may confidently expect her to
remain stationary at least until to-morrow morning. No one is likely
to care to start on the homeward journey before that time."
"I wish they were here now," said Grace; "but we have hours to wait
before we can hope to see them."
"Have patience, daughter," her father said in cheerful tones. "The
time will soon pass; and, to make it go faster, shall we not row over
to one of the islands and have a stroll on the beach?"
The girls all seemed pleased with that proposal; the captain gave the
order to have the boat made ready, and in a few moments they were on
their way. It was just the kind of a day to make such a little
excursion very enjoyable, and in a couple of hours they returned,
feeling in fine health and spirits and ready for either work or play.
Captain Raymond saw them safely on board, presently followed them
himself, and read aloud an entertaining book while they busied
themselves with bits of needlework. Soon dinner was announced; quite
a while was spent at the table, and shortly after they left it, the
boat was again in requisition to take the captain to the city and
bring him and the returned travellers back to the yacht.
The time of his absence seemed rather long to the waiting girls; but
when at last the boat came into sight, and they perceived that it held
all the expected ones, they were overjoyed, and when the deck was
reached the embraces exchanged were warm and loving.
"This seems very like a home-coming," said Violet. "We have had a
delightful time with our Pleasant Plains cousins, yet are glad to be
again on our own floating home."
"Yes," said her mother; "especially as we hope it will soon carry us
to our still dearer ones in the Sunny South."
"I am ready to start for them to-morrow, mother, if you wish it," the
captain said in his pleasant way. "I presume you have all seen enough,
for the present at least, of this part of our country."
He looked inquiringly at Annis as he spoke.
"I am ready to go or stay, as the others wish," she said. "It is now
late in September, and the excessive summer heat will surely be over
by the time we reach our journey's end. What are your opinions and
feelings on the subject, my dear?" turning to her husband.
"I care but little one way or the other, so that I have my wife with
me, and she is satisfied," returned Mr. Lilburn gallantly.
"And that, I presume, is about the way with these younger folk,"
remarked the captain, glancing around in a kindly way upon them.
"Yes, captain," said Evelyn; "we are all ready, I am sure, to go or
stay, as seems best to you."
"One can always find enjoyment wherever you are, father," said
Lucilla.
"Yes, indeed," said Grace. "But now, good folks, please all come down
to the saloon and see our preparations for your arrival." She led the
way, the others following, and on reaching the saloon and seeing its
wealth of adornment, they gave such meed of praise as greatly
gratified the young decorators.
"Ah, it is nearly tea-time," said Grandma Elsie at length, consulting
her watch; "and I at least need to make some preparation in the way
of ridding myself of the dust of travel by rail," and with that all
the returned travellers retired to their staterooms for the few
minutes that remained ere the summons to the tea table.
On leaving the table, all repaired to the deck, where they spent the
evening in pleasant chat, finding much to tell each other of the
doings and happenings of the days of their separation.
They closed their day as usual, with a service of prayer and praise
and the reading of the Scriptures, then all except the captain retired
to their staterooms.
But it was not long before Lucilla, as usual, stole back to the deck
for a good-night bit of chat with her father. She found him walking
the deck and gazing earnestly at the sky.
"Is there a storm coming, father?" she asked.
"I think there is," he answered, "and probably a heavy one. I think it
should make a change in our plans, for it may last several days. In
that case we will be safer over there in Put-in Bay, lying at anchor,
than we would be out in the lake."
"Then you will go over there, won't you, father?" she asked.
"I think I shall," he said. "It really matters but little whether we
get home as speedily as the voyage can be made, or not until a week or
two later."
"I am glad of that," she returned; "and as we have an abundance of
books and games,--plenty of everything to make the time pass quickly
and pleasantly,--I think we need not mind the detention."
"I agree with you in that," he said, "and I am very glad that our dear
absentees got here safely before the coming of the storm."
"Then you don't apprehend any danger?" she said inquiringly.
"No; not if we are at anchor in the bay yonder. Well, you came to say
good-night to your father in the usual way, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir; but mayn't I stay with you for a little while? I am not at
all sleepy, and should enjoy pacing back and forth here with you a few
times."
"Very well, daughter," he returned, taking her hand and drawing it
within his arm.
They walked to and fro for a time in silence. It was broken at length
by Lucilla. "To-morrow is Friday, but you don't think it would be
unlucky to start on a journey for that reason, father?"
"No, child; it is the coming storm, and not the day of the week, that
seemed portentous to me. I have sailed more than once on Friday, and
had quite as prosperous a voyage as when I had started on any other
day of the week."
"It seems to me absurd and superstitious," she said, "and I know
Grandma Elsie considers it so. Papa, isn't that cloud spreading and
growing darker?"
"Yes; and I think I must give orders at once to get up steam, lift the
anchor, and move out into the bay. Say good-night, now, and go to your
berth."
Violet, arrayed in a pretty dressing gown, stepped out of her
stateroom door into the saloon as Lucilla entered it. "Are we about
starting, Lu?" she asked. "I thought I heard your father giving an
order as if preparations for that were going on." Lucilla replied with
an account of what she had seen and heard while on deck. "But don't
be alarmed, Mamma Vi," she concluded; "father thinks there will be no
danger to us lying at anchor in Put-in Bay, and I think we will be
able to pass the time right pleasantly."
"So do I," said Violet; "but it will be sad if he has to expose
himself to the storm. However, I suppose that will hardly be necessary
if we are lying at anchor. Yes, I think we are a large enough and
congenial enough company to be able to pass a few days very pleasantly
together, even though deprived of all communication with the outside
world."
"So we won't fret, but be glad and thankful that we can get into a
harbor before the storm is upon us, and that we have so competent a
captain to attend to all that is needed for our safety and comfort,"
returned Lucilla. "But I must say good-night now, for papa's order to
me was to go to my berth."
The _Dolphin_ was soon in motion, and within an hour lying safely at
anchor in Put-in Bay. When her passengers awoke in the morning, quite
a severe storm was raging, and they were well pleased that it had not
caught them upon the open lake; and though Grandma Elsie had grown
anxious to get home for her father's sake, she did not fret or worry
over a providential hindrance, but was bright and cheerful, and ever
ready to take her part in entertaining the little company.
For three days the ladies and children scarcely ventured upon deck;
but, with books and work and games, time passed swiftly, never hanging
heavy on their hands. Mr. Lilburn, too, caused some amusement by the
exercise of his ventriloquial powers.
It was the second day of the storm, early in the afternoon, and all
were gathered in the saloon, the ladies busy with their needlework,
the gentlemen reading, Elsie and Ned playing a quiet game. Walter had
a daily paper in his hand, but presently threw it down and sat with
his elbow on the table, his head on his hand, apparently in deep
thought. He sighed wearily, and then words seemed to come from his
lips.
"Dear me, but I am tired of this dull place!--nothing to see, nothing
to hear, but the raging of the storm!"
"Why, Walter!" exclaimed his mother, looking at him in astonishment;
but even as she spoke she saw that he was as much astonished as
herself.
"I didn't make that remark, mother," he laughed. "I am thankful to be
here, and enjoying myself right well. Ah, Cousin Ronald, I think you
know who made that ill-sounding speech."
"Ah," said the old gentleman with a sad shake of the head, "there
seems to be never a rude or disagreeable speech that is not laid to my
account."
Then a voice seemed to come from a distant corner: "Can't you let that
poor old man alone? It was I that said the words you accuse him of
uttering."
"Ah," said Walter; "then show yourself, and let us see what you are
like."
"I am not hiding, and don't object to being looked at, though I am not
half so well worth looking at as some of the other people in this
room."
"Well, that acknowledgment shows that you are not vain and conceited,"
said Walter.
"Who would dare call me that?" asked the voice in angry, indignant
tones.
The words were quickly followed by a sharp bark, and then the angry
spitting of a cat, both seeming to come from under the table.
Little Elsie, who was sitting close beside it, sprang up with a
startled cry of "Oh, whose dog and cat are they?"
"Cousin Ronald's," laughed Ned, peeping under the table and seeing
nothing there.
At that instant a bee seemed to fly close to the little boy's ear,
then circle round his head, and he involuntarily dodged and put up his
hand to drive it away. Then he laughed, saying in mirthful tones, "Oh,
that was just Cousin Ronald, I know!"
The older people were looking on and laughing, but Lucilla started and
sprang to her feet with an exclamation of affright as the loud, fierce
bark of a seemingly ferocious big dog sounded close to her ear.
Everybody laughed, she among the rest, but she said pleadingly: "Oh,
don't do that again, Cousin Ronald! I didn't know I had any nerves,
but I believe I have."
"Well, daughter, don't encourage them," her father said in kind and
tender tones, taking her hand in his as he spoke, for she was close at
his side, as she was pretty sure to be whenever she could manage it.
"I am truly sorry if I hurt those nerves, Lu," said the old gentleman
kindly. "I meant but to afford amusement, and shall be more careful in
the future."
"Do some more, Cousin Ronald; oh, please do some more, without scaring
Lu or anybody," pleaded Ned.
"Ned, Ned, it's time to go to bed," said a voice seeming to come from
the door of the stateroom where the little boy usually passed the
night.
"No, sir, you're mistaken," he answered; "it won't be that for two or
three hours yet."
"Captain," called a voice that seemed to come from overhead, "please
come up here, sir, and see if all is going well with the vessel."
Captain Raymond looked up. "I think I can trust matters to you for the
present, my men," he said. "We are in a safe harbor and have little or
nothing to fear."
"Papa, did somebody call you?" asked Ned.
"I rather think Cousin Ronald did," answered the captain; "but I don't
intend to go to the deck to find him, or answer his call to it, while
he sits here."
"No; what business has he to treat you so?" said a voice that sounded
like a woman's. "He ought to be glad to see you sit down and take a
rest occasionally."
"So he is," said Cousin Ronald, speaking in his natural tone and
manner. "He is always glad to have such busy folks take a bit o'
rest."
"But please don't you take a rest yet, Cousin Ronald; we want you to
make some more fun for us first--if you're not too tired," said Ned,
in coaxing tones.
"I am more than willing, laddie," returned the old gentleman
pleasantly, "for fun is oft-times beneficial, particularly to little
chaps such as you."
"I am bigger than I used to be," said Ned, "but I like fun quite as
well as I ever did."
"Very strange," said Lucilla, "very strange that a grave old man such
as you should care for fun."
"Yes, but my sister Lu likes it, and she's older--a great deal older
than I am," returned the little fellow, looking up into her face with
eyes that sparkled with fun.
At that she laughed and gave him a kiss.
"Yes, I am a great deal older than you, and so you ought to treat me
with great respect," she said.
"Ought I, papa?" he asked, turning to their father.
"It would be quite well to do so, if you want the reputation of being
a little gentleman," replied the captain, regarding his little son
with a smile of amusement.
But at that instant there came a sound as of a shrill whistle
overhead, followed by a shout in stentorian tones: "Hello! look out
there! Ship ahoy! Do you mean to run into us? If we get foul of each
other somebody may be sent to Davy Jones' locker."
Everybody started, and the captain rose to his feet, a look of anxiety
coming over his face.
But Cousin Ronald gave him a roguish look.
"I wouldn't mind it, captain," he said. "It's only a false alarm. I
doubt if there is any vessel near us."
The captain reseated himself, while Grace exclaimed with a sigh of
relief, "Oh, I am so glad it was but a false alarm! A collision would
be so dreadful, either to us or to the people on the other vessel, and
maybe to both."
"Oh, it was just you, was it, Cousin Ronald?" laughed Ned. "Please do
some more."
At that instant there was a loud squeak, as of a mouse that seemed to
be on his own shoulder, and he started to his feet with a loud scream:
"Oh, take it off, papa! Quick, quick!"
Everybody laughed; and Lucilla said teasingly, "I'm afraid you are not
fit to be a soldier yet, Neddie boy."
"Maybe I will be by the time I'm tall enough," he returned rather
shamefacedly.
"Yes, son, I believe you will," said his father. "I don't expect a son
of mine to grow up to be a coward."
"I might have known it was Cousin Ronald, and not a real mouse, on my
shoulder," remarked the little fellow with a mortified air; "but I
didn't think just the first minute."
"Cousin Ronald on your shoulder?" laughed Lucilla. "I don't think he
could stand there; and his weight would be quite crushing to you."
"Of course it would. He couldn't stand there at all," laughed Ned.
"No," said Mr. Lilburn, "it would be much more sensible for me to take
you on my shoulder."
"Papa takes me on his sometimes," said Ned, "but not so often now as
he used to when I was a little boy."
"Ha, ha, ha! what are you now, sonny?" asked a voice that seemed to
come from a distance.
Ned colored up. "I'm a good deal bigger now than I was once," he said.
"And hoping to grow a good deal bigger yet," added his father, smiling
down into the little flushed, excited face.
"Yes, papa, I hope to be as big as brother Max, or you, some of these
days," returned the child.
"Don't be in a hurry about growing up," said the voice that had spoken
a moment before.
"Grown folk have troubles and trials the little ones know nothing
about."
"But the grown-ups may hope to do more in the world than the little
ones," said Walter.
"Is that why you are growing up, Uncle Walter?" asked Ned.
"That's why I am glad to grow up," replied Walter.
"Like papa?"
"Yes; and like grandpa and other good men."
"Well, I want to be a man just like my own dear papa," said the little
fellow, looking with loving admiration up into his father's face.
"That's right, bit laddie, follow closely in his footsteps," said the
voice, that seemed to come from that distant corner.
But now came the call to the supper table, and so ended the sport for
that day.