The gentlemen paused in their conversations and the captain asked, “What is it, my son?”

“We haven’t shown the workroom or the playroom, papa.”

“Ah, sure enough!  We must have them lighted first.  Send Scipio out to put a lamp in each.  Then the ladies’ wraps will have to be brought down, for they would be in danger of taking cold going even that short distance without.”

“I’ll attend to it all, sir,” Max rejoined with cheerful alacrity, and hastened away to do so.

In a few minutes all was in readiness.

Max, announcing the fact to his father, and the company in general, said dubiously, “I’m afraid we can’t go all at once:  the rooms aren’t big enough to take in so many.”

“So we will go in divisions,” said Mr. Dinsmore.  “There are thirty of us—­not counting the Woodburn family proper:  we will make five divisions, six in each, in addition to the guide and exhibiter.  Does everybody consent?”

“Yes, yes,” was heard on every side.

Then ensued a merry time forming the divisions, and deciding the order of precedence; for every one was in mirthful mood.

It was all settled at last.  The visits of inspection were made:  everybody agreed in praising all they saw, and congratulating Max and his sisters on the good fortune that had befallen them.

The rest of the evening passed off very pleasantly.  The feast was enjoyed, every dish being pronounced a success:  the Woodburn children were satisfied with the share of it allowed them,—­all the more, perhaps, that a like care was exercised by the parents and guardians of the other young folks in respect to their indulgence of appetite.

Grace bade good-night, and went to her nest at nine o’clock, a cheerful, happy child; but, as the party broke up at ten, Max and Lulu were allowed to remain up to see them off.

Lulu had taken an early opportunity to give the invitation for the next day to Evelyn, and it was joyfully accepted, “uncle Lester” giving ready permission.

“You’ll come as soon as lessons are over at Ion, won’t you?” asked Lulu in parting.

“Yes, you may be sure I’ll come the first minute I can,” Eva answered gayly.  “I expect to have a lovely time with you in those beautiful rooms, and I’ve had a lovely time to-night.  Good-by,” giving her friend a hearty embrace.

“Well, children,” the captain said at breakfast the next morning, “remember, I expect every one of you to be in the schoolroom at five minutes before nine, and to begin studying exactly at the hour.”

“Every thing to be done with naval precision, I suppose,” remarked Violet, giving him a bright half-saucy smile; “that being, I understand, about on a par with military.”

“Yes,” he said, smiling in return, “that is to be the rule in this house for every one but my wife:  she is to follow her own sweet will in all things.”

“Ah!” she responded gayly, “I fear you do not realize what a rash promise you are making; or, rather, how rash you are in according such a privilege.”