of your little friends pleasure. You know you are to leave this
house the day after to-morrow; now where should you like best to go?"
"On board the yacht," said Jack unhesitatingly.
"Well, that is just where we are thinking of going. I want to take your
mother for a short cruise to the coast of Maine, and I propose that we
invite the Bells and Hamiltons to go with us. I believe Dr. Bell and Mr.
Hamilton both talk of taking vacations next week."
Jack's eyes danced with delight.
"I think," he said, with a sigh of deep content, "that it would be the
very nicest thing that could possibly happen."
That evening Lord Carresford had a long talk with his friends Dr. and
Mrs. Bell, the result of which was that three days later "his
lordship's" yacht was gliding smoothly out of the harbor, bound for the
coast of Maine, and carrying on board four very happy children.
"When I said I wished I could go to sea in a yacht the day we were
shipwrecked, I never dreamed it would really happen," remarked Lulu,
surveying her new surroundings with an expression of intense
satisfaction. "I think it's really quite remarkable the way things
happen sometimes."
"I wish your mother and aunt could have come too," said Winifred a
little regretfully. "I don't believe anybody could really be seasick in
this lovely place."
"It isn't always as smooth as this," returned Lulu, remembering past
experiences of Father Ocean. "You see it isn't very comfortable for
people to go on yachts when they are apt to be seasick. Mamma and Aunt
Daisy were both dreadfully seasick when we went to Europe."
"I hope you won't be homesick," said Betty anxiously. "You haven't ever
been away from your mother before, have you?"
"No, but I sha'n't be, I know. It's only for a week, and I'm going to
write her a letter every day, and one to Aunt Daisy too. Then I've got
papa, you know, and Mrs. Hamilton is going to take care of me."
"And no one could possibly be homesick with my mother," added Winifred,
with an adoring glance at Mrs. Hamilton, who was sitting near by,
chatting with Mrs. Randall.
"Well, young people, are you having a good time?" Lord Carresford
inquired, sauntering up to the group.
"Yes, indeed we are," came in chorus from all four voices.
"Come with me to the other side of the boat, and we'll have a last look
at Sandy Hook. Do you want to come too, Jack?"
"No, thank you," said the little boy, smiling happily; "I'd rather
sit here; it'
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