"Yes, sir."
"Then you may have some ice-cream, a little fruit, and a small piece of sponge cake."
"Not any nuts or candies?"
"Not to-night, daughter; sometime to-morrow you may."
"Thank you, sir; that will do nicely," she responded in a cheerful, pleasant tone and with a loving look and smile up into his face.
She felt amply rewarded by the approving, affectionate look he gave her in return.
"I shall help you presently when I have waited upon Evelyn and Rosie," he said. "What will you have, my dears?"
When the refreshments had been disposed of, it was time for the usual short evening service, then for the younger ones to go to their beds.
Capt. Raymond stepped out upon the veranda and paced it to and fro.
Presently Max joined him. "I came to say good night, papa," he said.
"Ah good night, my son," returned the captain, pausing in his walk, taking the hand Max held out to him and clasping it affectionately in his. "You had a fine, exciting game this morning out there on the lawn. I was glad to hear my boy avow his attachment to the glorious old flag his father has sailed under for so many years. I trust he will always be ready to do so when such an avowal is called for, as long as he lives."