th a reckless disregard of
accuracy; and if his companions had not known to the contrary, they
would have thought that all his life had been spent on the steamers
running from New York to Coney Island.

It was not until Mr. Weston asked him some question about the theatre
that he laid aside the duties of guide and historian, to launch out in
glowing details of their temple of histrionic art, which must one day
be the resort of the general public. The others quietly enjoyed the
sail, drinking in deep draughts of pleasure from everything around
them excepting Mopsey's loud boasting.

Johnny seemed plunged in an ecstasy of delight, from which he emerged
but once; and then it was to express the wish that he might always be
a passenger on one of these steamers, with no other object than to
enjoy the continual sail.

Nelly and Dickey sat side by side, speaking only at rare intervals,
while Paul and Ben discussed the latter's prospects in life, or spoke
of the wonderful journey which the former was to make in order to
rejoin his mother and sister. As for Mr. Weston, he appeared to find
as much enjoyment in the delight and wonder of his guests as they did
in the sail, and there was every prospect that the holiday would be a
remarkably pleasant one to all.

[Illustration: AT CONEY ISLAND.]

When they landed, and were in the very midst of the pleasure-seeking
crowd, which appeared to have no other aim than enjoyment, their
delight and bewilderment were so great that even Mopsey was silenced,
and could hardly have been induced to talk even if he had been
directly approached on the subject of the theatre, or the new play he
was supposed to be preparing.

After leading the way to one of the hotels, Mr. Weston, thinking that
perhaps his presence was some check upon the full enjoyment of his
guests, told them that they had all better go off by themselves to see
what was new or wonderful, while he remained there until they should
return, cautioning them, however, to come back by dinner-time.

It would be almost impossible to describe all they did or what they
said during that forenoon, when they were indulging in such a day of
pleasure as they never had had before. As Ben afterwards expressed it,
they "saw about everything there was to be seen, an' they scooped in
about as much fun as ever anybody did who went to Coney Island."

Owing to Paul's watchfulness, they were back at the hotel at the time
Mr. Weston had said they wou