“Yes, sir,” Max answered in a pleasant tone; adding, “I’m sorry to have displeased you, papa, and will be careful in future to obey the orders you’ve just given.”

But Lulu remained silent, and her countenance was sullen.  She had been so long in the habit of defying Mrs. Scrimp’s authority that now she was disposed to resist even her father’s control in small matters, and think she ought to be permitted to go and come at her own sweet will, and the thought of being subjected to the sway of her new mother and her relatives seemed to the proud, passionate child almost beyond endurance.

The expression of her face did not escape her father’s observation, but he thought it best to take no notice of it, hoping her angry and rebellious feelings would soon pass away and leave her again the pleasant, lovable child she had been a few moments since.

The carriage was already at the door.

“I think the air would do Gracie good,” he remarked to Vi, “and the drive not prove too fatiguing if I support her in my arms.  We have room for one more than our party.  Will not your mother go with us?”

“Thank you; I’ll run in and ask her,” Vi said, tripping away.

Elsie accepted the invitation, remarking gayly, “I have no housekeeping cares to prevent me.  I’m just a daughter at home in her father’s house,” giving him a loving look and smile, “as I used to be in the glad, free days of my girlhood.”

The captain came down with Gracie in his arms, hers about his neck, her little pale face on his shoulder.  She looked thin and weak, but very happy.

Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi greeted her with loving inquiries and tender kisses.

“Do you feel strong enough for the drive, dear?” asked the former.

“Yes, ma’am; with papa to hold me in his strong arms.”

“Papa’s dear baby girl!” murmured the captain low and tenderly, imprinting a gentle kiss on the pale forehead.

Mr. Dinsmore came over, handed the ladies and Lulu into the carriage, then held Gracie till her father was seated in it and ready to take her again.

It was a bright, fair morning with a delicious breeze from the sea, and all enjoyed the drive greatly, unless perhaps Lulu, who had not yet recovered her good humor.  She sat by her father’s side, scarcely speaking, but no one seemed to notice it.

Gracie was asleep when they returned, and her father carried her up to her room and laid her down so gently that she did not wake.

The others had paused in the veranda below.  Zoe and Rosie came running over to say the bathing hour was near at hand, and to ask if they were going in.

“I am not,” Elsie said.

“Nor I,” said Violet, “I’m a little tired and should prefer to sit here and chat with mamma.”

“I’d like to go in,” said Max.  “When papa comes down I’ll ask if I may.”

“Mamma,” said Rosie, “I don’t care to go in to-day, but may I go down on the beach and watch the bathers?”