how can I hope to deceive people into
supposing me young when I have three married children."

"Yes, mamma, that is true," Violet said, after a moment's thought; "and
perhaps the children may be more ready to submit to the guidance and
control of a grandma than of an aunt. Oh, how thankful I am that when
their father is no longer here to govern them, they will not be left to my
management alone!"

CHAPTER XXI.

REBELLION.

The next morning Violet began her housekeeping; a not very arduous
undertaking, as competent servants had been brought from Ion for her
establishment as well as for that next door.

It was pleasant to her and the captain to sit down to a well-appointed
table of their own.

Max and Lulu too, coming in fresh and rosy from a stroll along the beach,
thought it extremely nice that at last they had a home of their own with
their father and so sweet and pretty a new mamma to take the head of the
table.

The oysters and fish, just out of the ocean that morning, and Aunt
Phillis's corn-bread and muffins were very delicious to the keen young
appetites, and as Gracie was reported much better, every one was in good
spirits.

The captain and Violet had both been in to see her and ask how she had
passed the night, before coming down to the breakfast-room.

Immediately after the meal the captain conducted family worship. That
over, Max and Lulu seized their hats, and were rushing out in the
direction of the beach, but their father called them back.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Down by the waves," said Lulu.

"To the beach, sir," said Max.

"Without a word to any one!" he remarked a little severely. "How do you
know that you are not wanted by your mamma or myself? We are going
directly for a drive on the beach and I had intended to take you both
along. Now I am inclined to leave you behind."

The children hung their heads, looking crestfallen and disappointed.

"O Levis, please let them go!" pleaded Violet, laying her hand
persuasively on her husband's arm. "I am sure they did not mean to do
wrong."

"Well, my love," he answered, "I will overlook it for this time for your
sake. But, Max and Lulu, you must understand that you are under authority
and are not to leave the house without first reporting yourselves to your
mother or me and asking permission, stating where you desire to go and
about how long you expect or wish to stay."

"Yes, sir," said Max; "but if you and Mamma Vi sh