ere in order to take the early boat
leaving for the mainland the next morning.

Mr. Dinsmore went with him, intending to go to Boston for a few days,
perhaps on to New York also, then return to Siasconset.

Harold, Herbert, Bob, and Max set out that same evening for their
camping ground; so that Mr. Edward Travilla was the only man of the
party left to take care of the women and children.

However, they would all have felt safe enough in that very quiet spot,
or anywhere on the island, without any such protection.

Lulu went to bed that night full of remorseful regret that through her
own wilfulness she had lost many hours of her father's prized society,
besides grieving and displeasing him.

Oh, if she could but go back and live the last few weeks over, how
differently she would behave! She would not give him the least cause to
be displeased with or troubled about her.

As often before, she felt a great disgust at herself, and a longing
desire to be good and gentle like Gracie, who never seemed to have the
slightest inclination to be quick-tempered or rebellious.

"She's so sweet and dear!" murmured Lulu half aloud, and reaching out a
hand to softly touch the little sister sleeping quietly by her side; "I
should think papa would love her ten times better than me; but he says
he doesn't, and he always tells the truth. I wish I'd been made like
Gracie; but I'm ever so glad he can love me in spite of all my badness.
Oh, I am determined to be good the next time he's at home, so that he
will enjoy his visit more. It was a burning shame in me to spoil this
one so; I'd like to beat you for it, Lulu Raymond, and I'm glad he
didn't let you escape."

Violet and her mother were passing the night together, and lying side by
side talked to each other in loving confidence of such things as lay
nearest their hearts. Naturally Vi's thoughts were full of the husband
from whom she had just parted--for how long?--it might be months or
years.

"Mamma," she said, "the more I am with him and study his character, the
more I honor and trust and love him. It is the one trial of my otherwise
exceptionally happy life, that we must pass so much of our time apart,
and that he has such a child as Lulu to mar his enjoyment of--"

"Oh, dear daughter," interrupted Elsie, "do not allow yourself to feel
otherwise than very kindly toward your husband's child; Lulu has some
very noble traits, and I trust you will try to think of them rather tha