They seated them in the veranda, where they could enjoy the breeze and a view of the sea, and talked to them entertainingly of the various pleasures—­bathing, boating, fishing, etc.—­in store for them.

Presently Mr. Dinsmore came out with a prescription which he asked Harold to take to the nearest drug-store.

“May I go too, sir?” asked Max.  “Wouldn’t it be well for me to learn the way there, so that I can do the errand next time?”

“That is well thought of, my boy,” Mr. Dinsmore said, with a pleased look.  “But are you not too tired to-night for such a walk? it is fully a quarter of a mile.”

“No, sir, thank you; a run will do me good after being so long cramped up in the cars.”

“Ah,” Mr. Dinsmore said, taking Max’s hand and shaking it cordially, “I think I shall find you a boy after my own heart—­active, independent, and ready to make yourself useful.  Shall I number you among my grandchildren?”

“I shall be very happy to have you do so, sir,” returned Max, coloring with pleasure.

“Then henceforth you may address me as grandpa, as these other young folks do,” glancing at Rosie and her brothers.  “You also, my dear, if you like,” he added, catching Lulu’s dark eyes fixed upon him with a half eager, half wistful look, and bending down to stroke her hair caressingly.

“Thank you, sir,” she said, “I think I shall like to.  But oh, tell me, please, is Gracie very sick?”

“I hope not, my dear; the doctor thinks she will be in her usual health in a day or two.”

The boys were already speeding away.

The doctor had sent every one out of the sick-room except Mrs. Dinsmore and Captain Raymond.  The child clung to her long-absent father, and he would not leave her until she slept.

Elsie led the way to Violet’s room, and there they held each other in a long, tender, silent embrace.

“My darling!” the mother said at length, “how I have missed you! how glad I am to have you in my arms again!”

“Ah, mamma! my own dearest mamma, it seems to me you can hardly be so glad as I am!” cried Vi, lifting her face to gaze with almost rapturous affection into that of her mother.  “I do not know how I could ever bear a long separation from you!”

“You are happy?”

“Yes, mamma, very, very happy.  I could never live without my husband now.  Ah, I did not dream of half the goodness and lovableness I have already found in him.  But ah, I am forgetting his children, Max and Lulu!” she added, hastily releasing herself from her mother’s arms.  “I must see where they are and that they are made comfortable.”

“Leave that to me, Vi dear,” her mother said; “you should be attending to your toilet.  I think the little sick one will fall asleep presently, when she can be left in Mammy’s care, while we all gather about the supper-table; and we must have you and Zoe there in bridal attire.”