s steed at the
veranda steps. Then, as he threw the reins to a servant and sprang to
the ground, "Zoe, my darling, you can go on with your packing; we may
confidently expect to be able to sail with the rest."

"Oh delightful!" she exclaimed, dancing about as gleefully as if she had
been a maiden of eight or ten instead of a woman just closing the first
year of her married life.

Everybody sympathized in her joy; everybody was glad that she and Edward
were to be of their party.

All the older ones were very busy for the next few days, no one finding
time for rest and quiet chat except the captain and Violet, who keenly
enjoyed a monopoly of each other's society during not a few hours of
every day; Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie having undertaken to attend to all
that would naturally have fallen to Violet's share in making ready for
the summer's jaunt had she been in robust health. Bob and Betty Johnson,
to whom the Oaks had been home for many years, and who had just
graduated from school, came home in the midst of the bustle of
preparation, and were highly delighted by an invitation to join the
Nantucket party.

No untoward event occurred to cause disappointment or delay; all were
ready in due season, and the yacht set sail at the appointed time, with
a full list of passengers, carrying plenty of luggage, and with fair
winds and sunny skies.

They were favored with exceptionally fine weather all the way, and seas
so smooth that scarce a touch of sea-sickness was felt by any, from the
oldest to the youngest.

They entered Nantucket harbor one lovely summer morning, with a
delicious breeze blowing from the sea, the waves rippling and dancing in
the sunlight, and the pretty town seated like a queen on the surrounding
heights that slope gently up from the water.

They were all gathered on deck, eager for a first glimpse of the place.

Most of them spoke admiringly of it, but Zoe said, "It's pretty enough,
but too much of a town for me. I'm glad we are not to stay in it.
'Sconset is a smaller place, isn't it, captain?"

"Much smaller," he answered; "quite small enough to suit even so great a
lover of solitude as yourself, Mrs. Travilla."

"Oh, you needn't laugh at me," she retorted; "one needn't be a great
lover of solitude to care for no more society than is afforded by this
crowd. But I want to be close by the bounding sea, and this town is shut
off from that by its harbor."

"Where is the harbor, papa?" asked little