ither Polly nor any of us need be alarmed, I am
sure."

The next morning, as the steamer was advertised to start punctually at
the hour fixed, Bob was warned of his not having much time to spare when
setting out for his bathe before breakfast with the good dog Rover.

"Oh, I'll be back in plenty of time," was his boastful reply. "I'll
take some bread-and-butter with me for breakfast, and get a cup of milk
from the apple-woman on the beach; and shall be at the pier waiting for
you before you leave the house."

"Take care, my boy; we're rather late this morning, and you are running
it pretty close," said his father, looking at his watch, as the young
gentleman was scampering through the hall. "You won't have half-an-hour
altogether to spare."

But, Bob was obstinate, and away he went across the common, with Rover
at his heels.

"I know he will be late," sighed Mrs Strong, looking after him. "I
know he will be late."

"Well, if he is, he will be left behind, that's all I can say," said his
father, with decision. "I'm afraid Master Bob has too much of his own
way; and, it is just as well he should be taught a lesson sometimes."

Thus giving his fiat, Mr Strong, apparently dismissing Bob for the
present from his mind, hurried the preparations of the others, so that
they, at least, should be in good time; and, some twenty minutes after
the truant had left, he and Mrs Strong and his sister, with Nellie,
started for the pier, arriving there just as the Captain came up in a
great hurry, stepping along as briskly as he and his malacca cane could
get over the ground.

"Where's Bob?" he at once asked, missing the absentee. "Where's Bob?"

"He's gone to bathe," replied poor Nell, very disconsolately. "He said
he'd get here as soon as we did, but he hasn't come yet, and I'm afraid
he'll be too late."

"That he will," said the Captain, looking equally distressed. "I hear
the steamer's bell ringing--in fact, I heard it before, and that made me
quicken my movements. The stupid fellow!--Why did you let him go?"

"Wilful would have his way," answered Mr Strong, shrugging his
shoulders. "It is his own fault, and he must suffer the consequences.
Come on, you people; I don't see why we should sacrifice our trip, at
any rate."

Mrs Gilmour and his wife tried in vain to combat the barrister's
resolution, suggesting that the excursion might be postponed; but he
would not consent to this for a moment.

"No," he said det