Raymond's pupils resuming such of their lessons as had been
dropped for the time, though the wedding festivities had been allowed to
interfere but little with them, as--with the exception of Marian, now Mrs.
Conly--they were considered too young to attend the parties. A matter of
regret to none of them except Rosie Travilla and Lucilla Raymond, and even
they, though they would have been glad to be permitted to go, made no
remonstrance or complaint, but submitted cheerfully to the decision of
their elders.

A busy, happy winter and spring followed, bringing no unusual event to any
branch of the family.

Max was frequently heard from, his father continuing to send him daily
letters, several of which would be replied to together by one from the
lad--always frank, candid, and affectionate, sometimes expressing a great
longing for a sight of home and the dear ones there.

After receiving such a letter the captain was very apt to pay a flying
visit to the Academy, in case there were no special reasons for remaining
closely at home, sometimes going alone, at others taking one or more
members of the family with him; his wife, if she could make it convenient
to go, or one or more of his daughters, by whom the little trip and the
sight of their brother were esteemed a great reward for good conduct and
perfect recitations.

Both they and the lad himself looked forward with ardent desire and joyous
anticipation to the June commencement, after which would begin the one
long holiday Max would have during the six years of his course at the
Academy.

The holidays for the home pupils began a day or two earlier, and a merry
party, including, besides the captain and his immediate family, the rest
of his pupils, with Grandma Elsie, her father and his wife, boarded the
_Dolphin_ and set sail for Annapolis to attend the commencement at the
Naval Academy.

The weather was delightful, and all greatly enjoyed the little trip. On
their arrival they found Max well and in fine spirits. The reports of both
his studies and conduct were all that could be desired, and the home
friends--his father in especial--regarded him with both pride and
affection, and expressed much pleasure in the fact that he was to
accompany them on the return trip.

Max dearly loved his home, and during the nearly two years of his absence
from it had had occasional fits of excessive homesickness; more, however,
for the dear ones dwelling there than for the place. So t