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 he's always made me something," I said; "once it was a pop-gun, and the next time it was a cart, and then, last time, the 'Fair Alice.'"