ant than any boy, no one ever
seemed to make us laugh as he did.

"Of course, however," he suggested, "as it is going to be a whole
holiday, and no work, there need be no eating either."

But that was by no means our view of the matter; we declared ourselves
more hungry than usual, and made such inroads on the honey that my
father asked at last whether he had not better send out for the hive.

After breakfast we had our Bible reading with my mother; that was a
treat and not a lesson--we never missed it even on whole holidays--and
then my father joined us and took part in consulting over the plans for
the day.

"We shall dispose of these young gentlemen at once," he said, "for I
find Groves is expecting them at the Cove, so soon as they can go; and
they may have the whole morning to employ as they like, in the boats, or
on the rocks--anything short of being in the water, which I do _not_
recommend. And for ourselves, Rickson is going to bring round the pony
carriage at twelve, when Mrs. Grant will be driven out by her humble
servant, the coachman, supposing always that she sees no just cause or
impediment." And my father playfully touched his forehead, as if waiting
for orders.

It was clear to read in my mother's eyes that she saw no difficulty in
the way of the drive with my father; and we boys were not less ready to
avail ourselves of the permission to go out at once and for the whole
morning.

We flew off to the play-room, loaded our pockets with a miscellaneous
store of nails, string, and implements of one kind or another, such as
we were wont to use in our various undertakings, and, carrying the
melancholy hulk which Aleck had not had time to pull to pieces, we set
off at express speed to the Cove, with Frisk barking at our heels.

There was not much talking during the first part of the scramble, but
Aleck contrived to get the contents of one of his pockets scattered by a
hasty jump, and we had to stop and pick up the things, which was the
signal for our chatter to begin as usual.

"I wonder what surprise old George has for us?" I observed
confidentially to my cousin.

"Whatever it is, I think he must have been a long time at it," replied
Aleck; "he's been shut up in the work-shop so often of late."

"Yes," I said; "and since that one peep I told you of, I've never had a
chance of looking in."

"Perhaps more ships," my cousin suggested, his thoughts running in that
line.

"Ever since I can remember