They moved out into deep water, and a gentle breeze wafted them pleasantly toward their desired haven.

“Look at the sun, papa,” Elsie said, gazing westward.  “It has a very peculiar appearance.”

“Yes,” he said, “it looks a good deal like a balloon; it’s redness obscured by that leaden-colored cloud.  It is very near its setting; we shall not get in till after dark.”

“But that will not matter?”

“Oh, no; our captain is so thoroughly acquainted with his vessel, the harbor and the wharf, that I have no doubt he would land us safely even were it much darker than it will be.”

Zoe and Edward, in the dory, were talking with a Nantucket lady, a Mrs. Fry.

“How do you like our island, and particularly our town?” she asked.

“Oh, ever so much!” said Zoe.  “We have visited a good many watering-places and sea-side resorts, but never one where there was so much to see and to do; so many delightful ways of passing the time.  I think I shall vote for Nantucket again next year, when we are considering where to pass the hot months.”

“And I,” said Edward, “echo my wife’s sentiments on the subject under discussion.”

“Your wife” the lady exclaimed, with a look of surprise.

“I took her to be your sister; you are both so very young in appearance.”

“We are not very old,” laughed Edward; “Zoe is but sixteen, but we have been married a year.”

“You have begun early; it is thought by some that early marriages are apt to be the happiest, and I should think them likely to be, provided the two are willing to conform their tastes and habits each to those of the other.  I trust you two have a long life of happiness before you.”

“Thank you,” they both said, Edward adding, “I think we are disposed to accommodate ourselves to each other, and whether our lives be long or short, our trials many or few, I trust we shall always find great happiness in mutual sympathy, love and confidence.”

The lady asked if they had seen all the places of interest on the island, and in reply they named those they had seen.

“Have you been to Mrs. Mack’s?” she asked.

“No, madam, we have not so much as heard of her existence,” returned Edward, sportively.  “May I ask who and what she is?”

“Yes; she is the widow of a sea-captain, who has a collection of curiosities which she keeps on exhibition, devoting the proceeds, so she says, to benevolent purposes.  She is an odd body; herself the greatest curiosity she has to show, I think.  You should visit her museum by all means.”

“We shall be happy to do so if you will kindly put us in the way of it,” said Edward.  “How shall we proceed in order to gain admittance?”

“If we can get up a party it will be easy enough; I shall then send her word, and she will appoint the hour when she will receive us; she likes to show her independence, and will not exhibit unless to a goodly number.