ve you give up
being fond of me."

A warm pressure of the lad's hand was the captain's only reply at first;
but presently he said, "I trust you will always be perfectly open with
me, my dear boy. You don't think, do you, that you could have a
better--more disinterested--earthly friend than your father?"

"No, sir! oh, no, indeed!"

"Then make me your confidant," his father said, with a smile and look
that spoke volumes of fatherly pride and affection; "let me into all
your secrets. Now that I am to be with you constantly, I shall take a
deeper interest than ever in all that concerns you,--if that be
possible,--in your studies, your sports, your thoughts and feelings.
You may always be sure of my sympathy, and such help as I can give in
every right and wise undertaking."

"I'll do that, papa!" Max exclaimed with a sudden, glad, lighting-up of
the face. "Why, it'll be as good as having the brother I've often wished
for!" he added with a pleased laugh; "better, in some ways, anyhow; for
you'll be so much wiser than any boy, and keep me out of scrapes with
your good advice."

"Papa," queried Grace, with a little bashful hesitation, "mayn't I have
you for my friend too?"

"Yes, indeed, my darling little girl!" he answered with a hug and kiss.
"I should like to be quite as intimate with you as I hope to be with
Max."

"With Lulu too?" she asked.

"Yes; with every one of my children."

Max had averted his face to hide his amusement at his little sister's
question in regard to her father's friendship for herself, for the
timid, sensitive little girl could hardly bear to be laughed at; but now
he turned to his father again with the query,--

"Papa, where are we going to live?"

"I don't know yet, Max," the captain answered; "but I hope to be able to
buy or build somewhere in this neighborhood, as I should be loath to
take your mamma far away from her mother,--myself either, for that
matter; and I presume you would all prefer to live near these kind
friends?"

"I am sure I should," said Max. "But, papa,"--he paused, coloring, and
casting down his eyes.

"Well, my boy, what is it? don't be afraid to talk freely to your
intimate friend," his father said in a kindly tone, and laying a hand
affectionately on the lad's shoulder.

"Please don't think me impertinent, papa," Max said, coloring still
more, "but I was just going to ask how you could live without your pay;
as I have heard you say it was nearly all you ha