"Father," exclaimed Nesta, "what are you saying?"
"Is it a story, daddy?" demanded Peter.
"No, the solemn truth," said Mr. Orban.
"I don't understand," said Eustace blankly.
"How should you when so much nonsense is being talked?" said his mother. "But the fact is, father thinks a change of air would do us all a great deal of good; and as grannie wants us, and has sent us our passage money—"
"Oh! oh! oh!" cried Nesta, "don't go on, mummie. You make it sound just as if it were real, and it will be so disappointing to have to un-fancy it again."
But Eustace said breathlessly,—
"Mother, is it true?"
"Quite true," was the grave answer. "We sail the end of next month. It is all settled."
"What did I say?" said Bob in mock despair. "She'll take you away, and you'll never come back any more."