Olive was silent.  She was trying to make up her mind that he was really to be congratulated, and to get rid of a lingering doubt.

“Well, that is the end of him in our affairs!” exclaimed Mrs. Easterfield.  “Why didn’t you tell us what you were going to town for?”

“Because he asked me not to mention it to any one.  And, besides, that is not all I went to town for.”

“Oh,” said his wife, “any more weddings?”

“No,” said Mr. Easterfield, helping himself to an easy chair.  “You know I have lately been so much with nautical people I have acquired a taste for the sea.”

“I did not know it,” said his wife; “but what of it?”

“Well, as Lieutenant Asher and his wife are here yet, and have no earthly reason for being anywhere in particular; and as Captain Asher seems to be tired of the toll-gate; and as Captain Lancaster doesn’t care where he is; and as Miss Olive doesn’t know what to do with herself until it is time for her to get married; and as you are always ready to go gadding; and as the children need bracing up; and as you can not get along without Miss Raleigh; and as Mrs. Blynn is a good housekeeper; and as I have an offer for renting our town house; I propose that we all go to sea together.”

The two ladies had listened breathlessly to these words, and now Olive sprang up in great excitement, and Mrs. Easterfield clapped her hands in delight.

“How clever you are, Tom!” she exclaimed.  “What a splendid idea!  How can we go?”

“I have leased a yacht, and we are going to the Mediterranean.”

CHAPTER XXXVIII

“It has just Begun!”

This wonderful scheme which Mr. Easterfield had planned and carried out met with general favor.  Perhaps if they had all been consulted before he made the plan there would have been many alterations, and discussions, and doubts.  But the thing was done, and there was nothing to say but “Yes” or “No.”  The time had come for the house party at Broadstone to break up, and the lieutenant and Mrs. Asher had arranged to spend the next few months in the city, but they gladly accepted Mr. Easterfield’s generous invitation and would return to the toll-gate alter a few weeks preparatory to sailing, that the party might get together, for Captain Lancaster was to remain at the tollhouse.  Mr. Easterfield also invited Claude Locker “to make things lively in rough weather,” and that young man accepted with much alacrity.

Mrs. Easterfield was in such a state of delight that she nearly lost her self-possession.  Sometimes, her husband told her, she scarcely spoke rationally.  If she had been asked to wish anything that love or money could bring her, it would have been this very thing; but she would not have believed it possible.  She was busy everywhere planning for everybody, and making out various lists.  But, as she said, there is a little black spot in almost every joy.  And her little black spot was Dick Lancaster.