y!" he burst out, throwing his arms about her neck. "And I
know you just want to make me good and happy and that your way's always
best. So I won't be naughty any more."

At that there was a general exclamation of delight from the other three,
who had been silent, but deeply interested listeners, and all crowded
round mamma vying with each other in bestowing upon her tender caresses
and words of love.

Each had felt more or less disinclination for the regular routine of
work, but that vanished now, and they went through their allotted tasks
with more than usual spirit and determination.

Ah what a sweetener of toil is love! love to a dear earthly parent, and
still more love to Christ: there is no drudgery in the most menial
employment where that is the motive power.

Chapter Twenty-third.

"Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite."
--PROVERBS xxiii. 2.

The happy day came, full soon to the fathers and mothers, at long last
to the eager expectant children.

Old Mr. Dinsmore had accepted a pressing invitation from his
granddaughter and her husband, to join the party, and with the addition
of servants it was a large one.

As they were in no haste, and the confinement of a railroad car would be
very irksome to the younger children, it had been decided to make the
journey by water.

It was late in the afternoon of an unusually warm, bright November day
that they found themselves comfortably established on board a fine
steamer bound for New Orleans.

There were no sad leave-takings to mar their pleasure, the children were
in wild spirits, and all seemed cheerful and happy as they sat or stood
upon the deck watching the receding shore as the vessel steamed out of
the harbor.

At length the land had quite disappeared; nothing could be seen but the
sky overhead and a vast expanse of water all around, and the passengers
found leisure to turn their attention upon each other.

"There are some nice looking people on board," remarked Mr. Travilla, in
an undertone, to his wife.

"Beside ourselves," added Cousin Ronald, laughing.

"Yes," she answered; "that little group yonder: a young minister and his
wife and child, I suppose. And what a dear little fellow he is just
about the age of our Harold, I should judge."

"Yes, mamma," chimed in the last named young gentleman, "he's a nice
little boy. May I go speak to him? May I, papa?"

Permission was given and the next moment the two stood