“I know of several visitors on the island who want to go, and if your party will join with them there will be no difficulty.”

“I think I can promise that we will,” said Edward.  “I will let you know positively to-morrow morning.”

“That will do nicely.  Hark, they are singing aboard the yacht.”

They listened in silence till the song was finished.

“I recognized most of the voices,” Mrs. Fry remarked, “but two lovely sopranos were quite new to me.  Do you know the owners?” turning smilingly to Edward.

“My mother and sister,” he answered, with proud satisfaction.

“Naturally fine, and very highly cultivated,” she said.  “You must be proud of them.”

“I am,” Edward admitted, with a happy laugh.

The sun was down and twilight had fairly begun.  Grace, seated on her father’s knee, was gazing out over the harbor.

“See, papa, how many little lights close down to the water!” she said.

“Yes; they are lamps on the small boats that are sailing or rowing about; they show them for safety from running into each other.”

“And they look so pretty.”

“Yes, so they do; and it is a sight one may have every evening from the wharf.  Shall I take you down there some evening and let you sit and watch them as they come and go?”

“Oh, yes, do, papa; I think it would be so nice!  And you would take Max and Lulu too, wouldn’t you?”

“If they should happen to want to go; there are benches on the wharf where we can sit and have a good view.  I think we will try it to-morrow evening if nothing happens to prevent.”

“Oh, I’m so glad!  You are such a good, kind papa,” she said, delightedly, giving him a hug.

“The very best you have ever had, I suppose,” he responded, with a pleased laugh.

“Yes, indeed,” she answered, naively, quite missing the point of his jest.

On reaching home Edward and Zoe reported their conversation with the lady in the dory, and asked, “Shall we not go?”

“I think so, by all means, since it is for benevolent objects,” said Elsie.

“Or anyhow, since we feel in duty bound to see all that is to be seen on this island,” said Captain Raymond.

No dissenting voice was raised, and when the next morning word came that Mrs. Mack would exhibit that afternoon if a party were made up to attend, they all agreed to go.

The distance was too great for ladies and children to walk, so carriages were ordered.  Captain Raymond and his family filled one.

“This is the street that oldest house is on,” remarked Lulu, as they turned a corner; “I mean that one we went to see; that has the big horse-shoe on its chimney.”

“What do they have that for, papa?” asked Grace.

“In old times when many people were ignorant and superstitious, it was thought to be a protection from witches.”

“Witches, papa? what are they?”