ied, half wild with joy.

"For someone who is always going to act like a man," said the Captain
seriously, "and--ah! my little one, what a sad face!" he cried. "Did
she think she was forgotten? Why! where's that basket, Jeffs brought?"

Dot needed no telling: she darted out of the room, to come back
directly with her eves sparkling, and before the basket was open, she
was upon her father's knee, laughing, and kissing his sad face, her
mother directly after coming in for her share of caresses. For the
basket was found to contain a long parcel and a box, the trembling
little fingers having plenty of difficulty in tearing off the paper, to
display a new doll, of wonderful construction, and an attractive-looking
box of sweets.

"You spoil them, my dear;" said Mrs. Trevor sadly.

The Captain sighed as he said:--"I do not have much chance, love.
There, it makes them happy. I don't spoil you; do I, Bob?"

"No, Pa," replied the boy quickly; and the scene by the lake came back,
to make him feel guilty again.

"There, run along," cried the Captain; and the next minute all was
forgotten, for there was so much to do.

"Jack Robinson" was waiting, ready to grin with pleasure as Dot rushed
at him, to show him the new doll, which he was allowed to take in his
hands, the child trembling and flushing a little, as she saw directly
after, that there were tarry marks upon his palms; but, _the dark
drown did not come off_.

Then "Jack Robinson" was turning over the gun and the anchor, after
which, with a wink and grin, he drew a little coil of new fishing-line
from out of his breast. "We shall be ship-shape now," he cried.

"Yes; come into our room," cried the Skipper. "You may come and see
too, Dot;" and the next minute, they were in the play and school-room.
There were plenty of expensive toys, but they were as nothing now
beside the "Flash," which was placed on the table before Jack Robinson,
who took his seat between the children, though the Skipper soon climbed
from his chair, on to the table, where he sat, cross-legged, like a
sailor making a sail, while Jack opened his big knife, to fit in the
gun in its proper place, forward.

Just then the Skipper caught sight of Dot bending the new doll's legs
to seat her on the table, and help see the proceedings.

In an instant the boy caught up the knife and held it out.

"Here, 'Jack,'" he cried, with mock ferocity, "get hold of that doll,
and I'll cut off her head."

"Oh!" shr