They obeyed with cheerful alacrity, and arose the next morning feeling none the worse for the exertion of the previous day.

Chester came promptly at the appointed hour, found Lucilla ready for the excursion, and they drove away in fine spirits.  Chester spared no pains to make himself agreeable to his companion, but was careful not to do or say anything of which her father could disapprove.  He brought her home again before dark, slightly fatigued, but gay and lively, with much to tell of the pleasant experiences of the day.

“Did Rosie go?” asked Grace.

“Yes, and was very merry; indeed, so we all were.  We were rowing about and fishing most of the time.”

“Both at once?” queried her father with an amused look.

“No, sir; we kept still enough while trying to catch the fish, and we caught as many as we could eat, then landed, made a fire,—­the young men did, I mean,—­cooked the fish, made coffee, and we had our dinner.  We girls spread a tablecloth on the grass and got out the good things in the baskets.  They were in great plenty, quite a variety, and all very good and palatable.  I think the air and rowing had given us all fine appetites so that everybody ate heartily and seemed to enjoy it.”

“And you were not sorry you went?”

“No, indeed!  I am much obliged to you, father, for letting me go,” she added, turning to him with a look of love and gratitude.

“You are very welcome, daughter,” he said, “and I am glad you enjoyed it.  There is an old saying that ’all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,’ and I think girl nature does not differ in that respect.”

“Oh, you dear papa! none of your children are ever allowed to have all work and no play,” she exclaimed, giving him a look of ardent affection.  “You take a great deal of trouble to give us pleasure; you always have.”

“Yes, indeed,” said Grace; “it seems to be papa’s greatest delight to give pleasure to his wife and children.  Don’t you think so, mamma?”

“Indeed I do,” returned Violet heartily.  “I have never known a more generous or unselfish person than my husband and your father.”

“And what shall I say?” queried the captain.  “That when I am the person under discussion no greater flatterers can be found than my wife and older daughters?”

“Oh! we will excuse you from saying anything on the subject, sir,” laughed Violet.

“Now, what kind of a time did you all have staying at home without me?” asked Lucilla.  “I hope you have missed me a little.”

“Of course we did,” replied Grace.

“Your father missed both his daughter and his amanuensis,” said the captain.

“Oh! there were letters to be answered?” she exclaimed.  “Please let me do it now, papa?”

“No, dear child, I answered them myself; and if I had not I should not let you work to-night, after all the fatigue of the day.”

“You are so kindly careful of me and all of us, papa,” she said with a grateful, loving look into his eyes.  “I am somewhat tired, but not too much so to use the typewriter, if you wanted any work done on it.  It is such a pleasure to be of even a little service to my dear father.”