Allan. 'If only they hadn't gone and made Father a
J.P.!' he added, with a judiciously suppressed groan.

'They're signalling from the coastguard station, do you see?' cried
Tricksy.

'Where's Gerald?' said Harry; 'he ought to be here to see this. Lazy
beggar, if I don't remember to wake him at four in the morning he
always oversleeps.'

He flew into the house, and returned shortly, followed by Gerald, who
came rubbing his eyes and trying to seem grateful to his brother for
having roused him out of the first good sleep he had enjoyed for weeks.

'There's a coastguard just coming up the drive,' said Reggie.

'Perhaps all the men are going to ask us to a picnic or something,'
suggested Harry; while Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie watched the
messenger.

Nothing was to be gathered from the demeanour of the coastguard, and
after he had gone down the avenue all the young people crowded into the
hall.

'A letter,' said Allan, looking at an envelope lying on the hall table;
'Allan Stewart, Esq. that doesn't tell us much, and Father has gone
out.'

'Perhaps it's for you,' suggested Tricksy.

'Not it,' said Allan unwillingly; 'they'd never address me as esquire,
especially as Father is Allan too. Can't do anything until he comes
back.'

'What do you think he can have gone out for?' inquired Marjorie, and
the faces of the others were as anxious as her own.

'Now, young people,' cried Mrs. Stewart's voice, 'come to breakfast;
the _Heroic_ will wait while you have some food.'

Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie tore themselves unwillingly away from the
letter.

'Mother,' said Allan persuasively, 'there's a letter for Father out
there on the hall table; it's some message from the _Heroic_; don't you
think you might open it and see what they say?'

Mrs. Stewart looked surprised.

'I can't open a letter addressed to your father,' she said. 'Have
patience a little while; he may not be long.'

'But, Mother, perhaps it's something very important,' persisted Allan;
'they may be waiting for an answer, you know.'

'I don't think it can be so important as all that,' said Mrs. Stewart.
'Take your places, Allan and Reggie, everything is getting cold.'

The young people felt that their patience would give way in another
minute.

'Come here, Gerald,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'beside Tricksy; and Harry, you
can sit by Marjorie.'

Harry looked unwilling.

'Oh, Mother,' cried Tricksy, 'you are putting him with his back to the
wind