ake a lunch with them, and not return till
late in the afternoon, when all would dine together at Mrs. Dinsmore's
table.

"Mamma is not going," she said, "and offers to take care of Gracie, if the
child stays behind. Every one seems to fear the ride would be too long and
wearisome for her."

"Yes, I think so," the captain said, fondling her, for she was sitting on
his knee.

"I'd like to go, papa," she said, looking up coaxingly into his face, "I
like to go driving, and to sit on your knee."

"And I love to have my baby girl in my arms, and to give her pleasure," he
responded, repeating his caresses, "but I should feel very sad to see her
made sick."

"Then I'll be good and not ask to go, papa," she said, with a slight sigh,
laying her head on his shoulder.

"That's my dear, good little Gracie! You shall have a short drive every
day when I can manage it. Perhaps a moonlight drive along the beach,
to-morrow evening. Will not that be nice?"

"Oh, ever so nice, dear papa!" she cried, clapping her hands in delight.

"Mamma not going, Zoe!" exclaimed Violet in a tone of disappointment.
"That will rob the excursion of half its charm for me. Is she not well?"

"She has a very slight headache, she says, and fears the sun would
increase it. Besides she is so much interested in a book she is reading
that she prefers staying at home to finish it. We had hard work to
persuade grandpa to go without her, but he has consented at last; only, I
believe, because Grandma Rose refused to go without him, and mamma insists
that she is in no danger of a bad headache if she keeps quiet."

"Yes, grandpa is so fond and careful of her."

"We have two large carriages, so that there is abundance of room for
everybody," pursued Zoe; "and we hope, Captain, that you will let Max and
Lulu go."

"Lulu shall certainly, if she chooses," he said, turning with a kind,
fatherly smile to the little girl who stood silently at his side, waiting
with a wistful, eager look, to hear if she were to be of the party, but
ashamed to ask the indulgence because of a vivid remembrance of her late
rebellion and disgrace.

"Oh, thank you, papa!" she cried joyously, giving him a hug and kiss.
"Mamma Vi, what shall I wear?"

"Your travelling dress will be the most suitable I think," said Violet.

"Then I'll run and put it on," returned Lulu, hastening away with cheerful
alacrity.

"Max shall go too, Captain, shan't he?" queried Zoe, with whom the boy was