id I see any people approaching those before me in interest and
attractiveness. Except one," he amended, as a general laugh greeted this
extraordinary statement, "and even she never seemed to me quite so----"
He hesitated.

"Say it, sir!" cried Lanse. "We're with you whatever it is. I think
'beautiful' is the word you want."

Mr. Birch's face lighted with a smile. "Thank you, that is the word," he
said.

The captain stirred his chopped chicken into his cream sauce with the
air of a chef. "Now here you are," he said.

The captain would not allow everything upon the table at once, picnic
fashion, but kept the viands behind a screen a few feet away, and with
Jeff's and Just's assistance, served them according to his ideas of the
fitness of things.

Toward the end of the feast a particularly fine strawberry shortcake
appeared, which was followed by ice-cream. Altogether, the captain's
guests declared no picnic had ever been so satisfactory.

"Isn't the captain great?" said Doctor Churchill, enthusiastically, to
Celia, when they had all left the table and were beginning to stroll
about. "Cut off from the sort of thing he would like best to do--that he
aches to do--he occupies himself with what comes in his way. He would
deceive any one into thinking him completely satisfied."

"I'm so glad you understand him," Celia answered. "Everybody doesn't.
Just the other day a caller said to me, 'Isn't it lovely that Captain
Rayburn is so contented with his quiet life? Whenever I see him sitting
in the park with the baby and a book, I think what a mercy it is that he
isn't like some men, or he never could take it so calmly.' Calmly! Uncle
Ray would give his life to-morrow night if he could have a day at the
head of his company over there in the Philippines."

"I don't doubt it for an instant. Since I've known him I've learned more
admiration for the way he keeps himself in hand than I ever had for any
single quality in any human being. I'm mighty sorry he's going away.
It's for a year in France and Italy, he tells me."

"Yes. He's very fond of travel, and I imagine he's a little restless
after the winter here. Do you know what I suspect? That he came just so
that mother might feel somebody was keeping an eye on us."

"That would be like him. He's immensely fond of you all."

Celia caught sight of her uncle beckoning to her, and went to him.
Doctor Churchill saw Mrs. Birch, lying among the gay striped pillows in
a hammock w