“Yet we needn’t hurry it on, mamma.”

“No; but consider; had I and my eldest daughter married as early in life as my mother did I might now have own grandchildren as old as Max and Lulu.  Beside,” she added gayly, “how can I hope to deceive people into supposing me young when I have three married children.”

“Yes, mamma, that is true,” Violet said, after a moment’s thought; “and perhaps the children may be more ready to submit to the guidance and control of a grandma than of an aunt.  Oh, how thankful I am that when their father is no longer here to govern them, they will not be left to my management alone!”

CHAPTER XXI.

REBELLION.

The next morning Violet began her housekeeping; a not very arduous undertaking, as competent servants had been brought from Ion for her establishment as well as for that next door.

It was pleasant to her and the captain to sit down to a well-appointed table of their own.

Max and Lulu too, coming in fresh and rosy from a stroll along the beach, thought it extremely nice that at last they had a home of their own with their father and so sweet and pretty a new mamma to take the head of the table.

The oysters and fish, just out of the ocean that morning, and Aunt Phillis’s corn-bread and muffins were very delicious to the keen young appetites, and as Gracie was reported much better, every one was in good spirits.

The captain and Violet had both been in to see her and ask how she had passed the night, before coming down to the breakfast-room.

Immediately after the meal the captain conducted family worship.  That over, Max and Lulu seized their hats, and were rushing out in the direction of the beach, but their father called them back.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Down by the waves,” said Lulu.

“To the beach, sir,” said Max.

“Without a word to any one!” he remarked a little severely.  “How do you know that you are not wanted by your mamma or myself?  We are going directly for a drive on the beach and I had intended to take you both along.  Now I am inclined to leave you behind.”

The children hung their heads, looking crestfallen and disappointed.

“O Levis, please let them go!” pleaded Violet, laying her hand persuasively on her husband’s arm.  “I am sure they did not mean to do wrong.”

“Well, my love,” he answered, “I will overlook it for this time for your sake.  But, Max and Lulu, you must understand that you are under authority and are not to leave the house without first reporting yourselves to your mother or me and asking permission, stating where you desire to go and about how long you expect or wish to stay.”

“Yes, sir,” said Max; “but if you and Mamma Vi should both happen to be out?”

“Then you may go to Grandpa Dinsmore or Grandma Elsie.”