possible will be done to prove that we esteem you the most welcome and
honored of guests. Cousin Elsie, surely you and Aunt Annis will not
think of refusing to spend with us at least a small portion of the
time you have allotted for your summer vacation?"

"Certainly I must go with you," said Annis; "those relations are too
near and dear to be neglected. My husband will go with me, I know; and
you too, Cousin Elsie, will you not?"

"I feel strongly inclined to do so," returned Mrs. Travilla, "and to
take the children and grandchildren with me. What do you say to it,
captain?"

"It seems to me, mother, that for all of us to go would make a rather
large party for our friends to entertain, hospitable as I know them to
be," he replied. "Also, there are reasons why I think it would be well
for me to remain here on the yacht, keeping Eva, Lu, and Grace for my
companions. I flatter myself that I shall be able to give them a
pleasant time during the week or two that the rest of you may be
absent."

"And you will let me help you in that, sir?" Walter said inquiringly.

"No; my idea was to commit your mother and my wife and children to
your care--yours and Cousin Ronald's. He must not have too much of
that put upon him."

"Seeing he has grown too auld to be trusted wi' wark in that line,
eh, captain?" remarked Mr. Lilburn in a tone of inquiry.

"Old enough to reasonably expect to be allowed to take his ease, and
let women and children be cared for by younger men," returned the
captain pleasantly.

"Such as I, for instance," laughed Walter. "Mother, dear, I hope you
feel willing to trust me; and that Vi does also."

"My dear boy, I am entirely willing to trust you to do anything in
your power for me and any of our dear ones," Grandma Elsie answered
with a loving look and smile into her son's eyes.

"And on the journey to Pleasant Plains I shall certainly do my best
for you all, Cousin Elsie," said Percy. "But, captain, surely the
yacht could do without her owner and his oversight for a fortnight or
so. And we can find room for you all; there are several families of
us, you must remember, and each of our homes has at least one guest
room."

"And you are all very hospitable, I know," returned the captain
pleasantly. "Perhaps at some other time I may put that to the proof,
but there are reasons why it does not seem quite advisable to do so
now." The tone of the last words was so decided that Percy did not
think it adv