“I think my two elder daughters have borne well the exertions of the day,” the captain remarked, with a smiling glance at them, as again they stood upon the deck of the Dolphin.

“Yes, father; thanks to your kind thoughtfulness in sending us so early to bed last night,” returned Lucilla, with a grateful, loving look up into his face.  “The longer I live the more thoroughly convinced I am that you always know what is best for me.”

“That is just my experience, Lu,” laughed Violet, standing near, “and I’ll venture to assert that Grace can say the same.”

“Indeed I can!” responded Grace heartily, “and it is a great satisfaction to have one so wise, kind, and good almost always at hand to decide doubtful questions for you.”

“Tut! tut!  I wonder if any other man was ever tried with so much gross flattery,” exclaimed the captain in feigned displeasure.

But at that moment others stepped upon the deck and their presence put an end to the bit of familiar family chat, Violet and her husband hastening to welcome their guests; for among the arrivals were Annis and several others from Pleasant Plains, whom they had not seen for some days—­it being an easy matter for friends to miss each other among the crowds and the various buildings at the Fair; also Chester and Frank Dinsmore and Mr. Hugh Milburn, who had not been seen there before.

“Why, how do you do, cousin?  I did not know you had arrived in the city,” said Violet, offering her hand.

“Very well, thank you.  I arrived only last night,” he said, “and was not able to hunt you up till now.  Ah, father, Cousin Elsie, captain,”—­shaking hands with each in turn—­“it does one good to see all your kind, pleasant faces.”

“And us to see yours,” returned Violet.  “But where are Ella and the boy?”

“At home,” he answered; “at least that’s where I left them.”

“But why didn’t you bring them along?” asked his father; “the bit laddie is not likely to have another chance to look at such sights as one may see here to-day.”

“His mother thought him rather young for that, seeing he is not very far along in his second year,” replied Hugh, “nor could she be persuaded to leave him behind.  He is a person of consequence in his mother’s eyes, is my little Ronald, if in no other.”

“Ah, I can understand that,” laughed Violet.  “But now, Cousin Hugh, you must let me have the pleasure of introducing you to the cousins from Pleasant Plains.”

It was quite a gathering of relatives and friends, all weary enough with the day’s exertions in sight-seeing to enjoy resting in comfortable chairs on the vessel’s deck, while comparing notes as to their experiences since coming to the Fair; what each had seen and heard, what they were planning yet to see, some caring more especially for one class of curiosities, some for another.

But hardly a half hour had passed when they were summoned to an excellent repast, after which they again repaired to the deck, where they gathered in groups and indulged in further chat.