e."

"So long, papa's dear boy!" the captain repeated with a smile of fatherly
affection into the bright, coaxing little face, then seating himself, he
took the little fellow in his arms, and petted and caressed him to his
heart's content. "Papa missed his dear little boy," he said, "but hoped he
was having a good time here with dear grandma."

"Yes, papa, so I was. Grandma's ever so nice, but I want my papa and
mamma, too."

"That's right, darling! mamma and papa would never know how to do without
their dear baby boy," Violet said, adding her caresses to those of his
father, the captain having taken a seat close at her side.

"Nor me either, mamma?" asked Elsie, drawing near, putting one hand into
that of her mother and laying the other on her father's knee, her look and
tones a trifle wistful, as if she were half fearful that she was less
highly appreciated than her brother.

"No, indeed, dear child!" they replied, speaking together, "we love you
just the same."

"Gracie also," the captain added, turning toward her with a tenderly
appreciative smile. "You were looking very weary, daughter, when you left
us some hours ago. Are you feeling better now?

"Yes, thank you, papa," she replied with a sweet, glad smile. "How kindly
careful of me you always are!"

"Yes," he returned, "one is apt to be careful of his choicest treasures."

"It is so delightful to be one of your treasures, you dear papa," she
said, going to his side in response to an inviting gesture, as Neddie got
down from his knee to run to the side of the vessel to look at a passing
boat.

"And so delightful to have you for one," he said, drawing her to the seat
Neddie had vacated. "Papa feels that he must be very careful to see that
the strength and endurance of his feeble little girl are not overtaxed."

"Mamma too," said Violet. "Dear child, I hope the rest of to-night,
to-morrow, and the following night may entirely relieve your fatigue."

"Thank you, mamma, I hope and believe that it will," responded Grace in
cheerful tones. "We will go to church to-morrow, I suppose, papa?" turning
enquiringly to him.

"Those of us who feel able and wish to," he replied. "I intend moving on
up the lake to Chicago when you have all retired to your state-rooms, and
to lie at anchor there until the Sabbath is past. We will have our Bible
lesson as usual in the afternoon, and service on board in the evening."

"I am glad of that, papa," said Grace, "for I alw