“Mamma is not going,” she said, “and offers to take care of Gracie, if the child stays behind.  Every one seems to fear the ride would be too long and wearisome for her.”

“Yes, I think so,” the captain said, fondling her, for she was sitting on his knee.

“I’d like to go, papa,” she said, looking up coaxingly into his face, “I like to go driving, and to sit on your knee.”

“And I love to have my baby girl in my arms, and to give her pleasure,” he responded, repeating his caresses, “but I should feel very sad to see her made sick.”

“Then I’ll be good and not ask to go, papa,” she said, with a slight sigh, laying her head on his shoulder.

“That’s my dear, good little Gracie!  You shall have a short drive every day when I can manage it.  Perhaps a moonlight drive along the beach, to-morrow evening.  Will not that be nice?”

“Oh, ever so nice, dear papa!” she cried, clapping her hands in delight.

“Mamma not going, Zoe!” exclaimed Violet in a tone of disappointment.  “That will rob the excursion of half its charm for me.  Is she not well?”

“She has a very slight headache, she says, and fears the sun would increase it.  Besides she is so much interested in a book she is reading that she prefers staying at home to finish it.  We had hard work to persuade grandpa to go without her, but he has consented at last; only, I believe, because Grandma Rose refused to go without him, and mamma insists that she is in no danger of a bad headache if she keeps quiet.”

“Yes, grandpa is so fond and careful of her.”

“We have two large carriages, so that there is abundance of room for everybody,” pursued Zoe; “and we hope, Captain, that you will let Max and Lulu go.”

“Lulu shall certainly, if she chooses,” he said, turning with a kind, fatherly smile to the little girl who stood silently at his side, waiting with a wistful, eager look, to hear if she were to be of the party, but ashamed to ask the indulgence because of a vivid remembrance of her late rebellion and disgrace.

“Oh, thank you, papa!” she cried joyously, giving him a hug and kiss.  “Mamma Vi, what shall I wear?”

“Your travelling dress will be the most suitable I think,” said Violet.

“Then I’ll run and put it on,” returned Lulu, hastening away with cheerful alacrity.

“Max shall go too, Captain, shan’t he?” queried Zoe, with whom the boy was a great favorite.

“He might if he were here,” the father answered; “but unfortunately he has gone off for a long walk and may not be back before dinner-time.”

“And we must start in a few minutes,” remarked Vi; “I am really sorry, for I know Max will regret missing it.  Gracie, dear, I’m going over to speak to mamma; shall I take you with me?”

“Yes, if you please, Mamma Vi, when I’ve kissed my dear papa good-by.”

Having done so, she took her doll in her arms and gave her hand to Violet.  She felt a little lonely at the thought of being left behind, but was quite comforted on learning that little Walter Travilla had decided to stay at home and play with her.