d not be admitted to the schoolroom among my
younger pupils."

Just then a rather discordant voice was heard calling, "Lu, Lu, what
you 'bout? Polly wants a cracker."

"You shall have one presently, Polly," Lucilia answered.

"Oh, let's all go up there and see her," said Ned as they rose and
left the table.

"Yes, we may as well begin there to make our circuit of the house,"
said his father; and they all hastened up the stairway to the
apartments of Lucilla and Grace.

"I think Polly is glad to see us," said Elsie, as they stood for a
moment watching her while she ate.

"A good deal more pleased to see and taste the cracker," said her
father. "I doubt if parrots ever have much affection to bestow on
anyone."

"Well, Polly," said Lulu, "nobody cares particularly for your
affection; but in spite of your coldness and indifference, you shall
have plenty to eat."

"Your rooms are in good order, daughters," said the captain, glancing
about them. "I think Christine is an excellent housekeeper."

"So do I, father," said Lucilla. "We have only to unpack our trunks
and put their contents in their proper places, and all will be as neat
and orderly as before we left home."

"Yes, but we are going to visit the other parts of the house first,"
said Grace; "or we'll have to do it alone, which wouldn't be half so
much fun as going along with papa and the rest."

They finished their inspection quickly, then set to work at their
unpacking and arranging, laughing and chatting merrily as they worked.

Violet, in her rooms, with Elsie and Ned to help or hinder, was busied
in much the same manner. The captain was in the library examining
letters and periodicals which had accumulated during his absence, when
he was interrupted by the announcement that Mr. Dinsmore had called to
see him.

"Mr. Dinsmore?" he said inquiringly.

"Yes, sah; Mr. Chester. Here am his kyard."

"Ah, yes; just show him in here."

The two greeted each other cordially, and Chester was invited to take
a seat, which he did.

"I am making you an early call, captain," he said. "I knew you were
expected to-day, and heard, perhaps an hour ago, that you had actually
arrived. I have, as you requested, kept a lookout for that escaped
convict who threatened your daughter at the time of his trial. He has
not yet been caught, but as I cannot learn that he has been seen
anywhere in this neighborhood, I hope he has given up the idea of
wreaking vengeance upon h