rtainly, my son; it is as truly your father's house, therefore open in
every part to you, as it was before you left its shelter for Uncle Sam's
Naval Academy," replied the captain, regarding the lad with mingled
fatherly affection, pride, and amusement.

"Thank you, sir," returned Max heartily. "Ah, Christine!" as the
housekeeper, whom something had detained in another part of the house at
the moment of their arrival, now appeared among them, "I'm pleased to see
you again; looking so well, too. I really don't think you have changed in
the least in all the time I have been away," shaking her hand warmly as he
spoke.

"Ah, Master Max, sir, I can't say the same of you," she returned with a
pleasant smile into the bright young face. "You are growing up fast and
looking more than ever like your father."

"Thank you," laughed Max, his eyes shining, "you couldn't possibly give me
a higher compliment than that, Christine."

"Ah, who shall say that I am not the complimented one, Max?" laughed the
captain.

"I, papa," cried Lulu. "O Maxie, come upstairs and see the improvements
there. You can look at the downstairs rooms and grounds afterward."

"Yes, run along, children," said their father, "and make yourselves ready
for the tea table before you come down again."

"Yes, sir," they answered in cheerful tones, Max catching up little Ned as
he spoke, and setting him on his shoulder. "Hold on tight, laddie, and
your big brother will carry you up," he said, and one chubby arm instantly
went round his neck, a gleeful laugh accompanying it as Max began the
ascent, his sisters following, Violet and the captain presently bringing
up the rear.

"Into our rooms first, Max," said Violet. "You, too, Lulu and Gracie, that
you may hear what he has to say about things there."

"Thank you, Mamma Vi," returned Max. "I want to visit every room in the
house and have all the family go with me if they like."

"You will find a few additions here and there to the furnishings, but no
great changes anywhere, Max," said his father.

"I should hope not, sir, as things seemed to me pretty nearly perfect
before I went away," returned Max in a lively tone, "I only wish every one
of my mates had as sweet a home to spend his long vacation in, and as kind
a father and friends to help him enjoy it."

"Ah, we may well pity the lad who lacks the blessings of a good home and
affectionate parents," said the captain. "I can never forget how much they
wer