"Put on your hat, Esther, and the General's," he said, patting that young gentleman's head affectionately. "Let us go down to the river for a stroll; the children are down there picnicking, so we can be sure of some tea."
"Why, yes, that will be very nice," she said, "won't it Bababsie, won't it, sweet son?"
She called to Martha, who was dusting the drawing-room in a cheerfully blind way peculiarly hers.
"The General's hat, please, Martha, the white sun-hat with strings; it's on my bed, I think, or a chair or somewhere—oh! and bring down my large one with the poppies in, as well, please."
Martha departed, and, after a little search, returned with the headgear.
And Esther tied the white sun-hat over her own curly, crinkly hair, and made the General crow with laughing from his seat on the hall table. And then she popped it on the Captain's head, and put the cabbage-tree on her son's, and occupied several minutes thus in pretty play.
Finally they were ready, and moved down the hall.
"Master Bunty is locked in his room; on no account open the door, Martha," was the Captain's last command.
"Oh, Jack!" Esther said reproachfully.
"Oblige me by not interfering," he said; "allow me a little liberty with my own children, Esther. He is an untruthful little vagabond; I am ashamed to own him for my son."