t of my bargain
let me assure you at once that it is perfectly useless," laughed
Chester in return.

"Ah, yes; I suppose so," sighed the captain in mock distress. "But I
must go now and order the carriage," he added, rising and hastening
away in the direction of the stables.

"And we to make our preparations for the drive and call at
Torriswood," said Grandma Elsie, addressing Violet and the younger
ones, expecting to be of the party. "Dick and Maud should have as
early a report of our plans and purposes as we can well give them."

To that Violet and Grace gave a hearty assent, the little ones echoing
it joyfully, and by the time the carriage could be brought to the door
they were all ready to enter it.

They found Maud and Dick full of pleasurable excitement, the former
already at work upon her packing. Grandma Elsie's plan and invitation
were highly appreciated by both and joyfully accepted.

The arrangements were soon made. If all went well with Dr. and Mrs.
Johnson they would reach Viamede the next afternoon, stay there in the
enjoyment of its hospitality until toward bedtime of that evening,
then come on to Torriswood, and a day or two later the others would
start upon their northward journey; all going together to New Orleans,
Grandpa and Grandma Dinsmore taking the cars there for Philadelphia,
and the rest starting for home by water--along the Gulf of Mexico,
around Florida, and up the Atlantic coast.

The whole plan met Dr. Harold's unqualified approval, while Dr.
Percival was so charmed with it that he insisted that the very
prospect of it all had nearly restored him to health and strength.

"Is that so, cousin?" exclaimed Violet with a pleased laugh, "why, you
will be another Samson by the time we reach our homes."

"Ah, if I can only recover the amount of strength I had before my
accident I shall be satisfied," said he, "and I shall know how to
appreciate it as I never did in the past."

All the necessary arrangements having now been made, the Viamede party
presently returned to their temporary home, which they found looking
very gay and patriotic with flags fluttering from tree tops, gables,
windows, and verandas; for the young folks left behind had been very
busy in their work of adornment. The result of their labors met with
warm approval from Grandma Elsie, the captain, and Violet. Grace and
Elsie Raymond, too, expressed themselves as highly pleased, while Ned
quite went into raptures at the si