“You peremptory little despot! what do you mean?”
“Oh, uncle, you know ever since Lenny lost sight of land, he has been abroad; now he sees it again, he thinks it is home!” said Drusilla, smiling on the child. Little Leonard, with his father’s features inherited much of his father’s self-will; and so he soon became both obstreperous and vociferous in his demands to be taken home.
“Mamma will take Lenny over there presently,” said Drusilla soothingly, as she took the child in her arms.
“You know, uncle, our steamer will lie here until this afternoon, and we shall have time to go on shore for an hour or so,” she added turning to the veteran.
“Yes, I suppose Anna and Dick would like it. I know I should. And—ah; here they come now!” said the General, as his niece and nephew appeared upon the deck.
“What a charming view!” exclaimed Anna.
“It is like Fairyland!” cried Dick.
“Come, come! none of that now you know! We’ve had enough of it! Here’s Drusa been singing its praises ever since I came to her side. And there, thank goodness, there’s the breakfast bell! Come down now, and praise the company’s cook! Two weeks’ trial has proved him to be incomparable,” said the General, leading the way to the saloon.
After breakfast, the party got ready to go on shore.
The little steamer made several trips between the ship and the shore, and they availed themselves of its accommodation to land.