“Here he is!” “There they are at last!”—­were the words of hail with which their appearance was greeted.  “Now off”—­and with all haste the three were received on board and the vessel pushed out into the stream.  Immediately her sail caught the breeze which came fair down the river, and careening a little as she took it, her head began to make good speed across the causeway of moonlight.  But then the ladies began to scream; for in mid-channel the wind was fresh and the waters had not quite forgotten yet the tumult of the late storm, which had tossed them well.  The sail-boat danced bravely, up and down, going across the waves.  Among the frightened people was Nora, who grasping Daisy’s dress with one hand and some part of the boat with the other, kept uttering little cries of “Oh Daisy”—­“Oh!  Daisy”—­with every fresh lurch of the vessel.  Ella Stanfield had thrown herself down in her mother’s lap.  Daisy was very much tried.

“Nora,” she said, “I wish you would not cry so!”

“But I am afraid!”

“I wish you would be comforted, and not cry out so,” sighed Daisy.  “Papa says there is no danger—­didn’t you hear him?”

“But oh, I am afraid!” re-echoed Nora.

Daisy folded her hands and tried to bide patiently the time of smooth water.  It came, partially at least, as they neared the opposite bank.  The boat went steadily; spirits revived; and soon the passage was brought to an end and the sail-boat laid alongside the little jetty, on which the party, men, women and children, stepped out with as sincere a feeling of pleasure as had moved them all day.  Carriages were in waiting; a few minutes brought the whole company to Melbourne House.

Here they were to stay supper; and the ladies and gentlemen dispersed to various dressing rooms to prepare for it.  Soonest of all ready and in the drawing room were the three children.

“I am so hungry!” said Nora.

“So am I!” said Ella Stanfield.

“We shall have supper presently,” said Daisy.

“O Daisy, weren’t you afraid in the boat, when it went up and down so?”

“I do not think I was afraid,” said Daisy, “if other people had not been so disturbed.”

“I don’t see how they could help being disturbed,” said Ella Stanfield.  “Why the boat didn’t sail straight at all.”

“But that does not do any harm,” said Daisy.

“How do you know?” said Nora. “I think it does harm; I do not think it is safe.”

“But you know, Nora, when the disciples were in the boat, and thought it was not safe—­the wind blew so, you know—­they ought to have trusted Jesus and not been afraid.”

Nora and Ella both looked at Daisy for a minute after this speech, and then by some train of association Nora started another subject.

“Daisy, have you got my Egyptian spoon yet?”

Now was Daisy in a great difficulty.  She flushed; the little face which had been pale enough before, became of a delicate pink hue all over.  Not knowing what to say she said nothing.