now to the stores
and buy material, get a dress-maker to come in to-morrow bright and early,
and help her myself all I can. There'll be no rest for me now till you're
off."

There was no rest for anybody else in the interim except Gracie. As Ann
remarked rather indignantly to Lulu, adding, "She's as cross as two
sticks."

"What makes her so cross?" asked Lulu. "I should think she'd be so glad
she's going to be rid of me that she'd feel uncommonly good-natured."

"Not she!" laughed Ann, "she counted on the money your father pays for
years to come; but he's gone and got married and her cake is dough sure
enough."

"I'm glad he did," returned Lulu emphatically. "I've made up my mind that
such a sweet-looking lady as our new mamma must be a great deal nicer and
kinder than Aunt Beulah, if she is a step-mother."

"She _is_ sweet-lookin', that's a fact," said Ann. "I only wish I was
goin' to make the change as well as you."

The eventful day came at last to the children; all too soon to Mr. Fox and
Mrs. Scrimp, neither of whom relished the task of giving account of past
stewardship; for conscience accused both of unfaithfulness to the
captain's trust.

The three children were gathered in the hotel parlor, impatiently awaiting
the arrival of the train. Mrs. Scrimp sat a little apart, fidgety and ill
at ease, though ensconced in a most comfortable, cushioned arm-chair; and
Mr. Fox paced the veranda outside, wondering if Max had dared or would
dare to inform his father of the cruel treatment received at his hands,
and if so, whether the captain would credit the story.

Violet and the captain had thus far had a delightful honeymoon, finding
their mutual love deepening every hour, yet were not so engrossed with
each other as to quite forget his children; they had talked of them
frequently, and were now looking forward to the coming interview with
scarcely less eagerness than the young people themselves.

"We are almost there; it's the next station," said the captain with
satisfaction, beginning to collect satchels and parcels.

"Oh, I am glad!" exclaimed Violet. "I long to see the dear children and to
witness their delight in being taken into--their father's arms." The
concluding words were spoken tremulously and with starting tears as a gush
of tender memories came over her.

Her husband understood it, and clasping her hand fondly in his bent over
her with a whispered, "My darling! my own sweet precious little wife!"