“That is certainly very kind and hospitable in you, Brother Ned,” said Mrs. Leland, “but I really think we would better take ourselves and our luggage to our own homes first and visit you later on, a few at a time.”
“No, Elsie, dear,” he returned, “we have made the plans and preparations, and shall feel greatly disappointed if not permitted to carry out our scheme. Come one, come all, and let us have a jolly time together.”
Just then Chester Dinsmore came hurrying toward them, having just learned in his office of the arrival of the vessel. A joyous, affectionate greeting exchanged between him and Lucilla, his wife, he turned to the other returned travellers. Then Edward renewed his invitation, adding:
“I have been out to each one of your homes and seen that they are all in prime order for you, but told the caretakers that you were to dine with us at Ion first; therefore, they need not expect you until evening, or somewhere near it.”
“You are very kind, indeed, Brother Ned,” said Captain Raymond, “and if my wife and the others are willing to accept your advice—your most hospitable invitation—I shall be happy to do so.”
“I should like to,” said Violet; “but what about the baggage, et cetera?”
“Those things can all be sent out immediately to our homes and safely entrusted to the caretakers Brother Ned just spoke of,” said the captain.
All now accepted Edward’s invitation, entered the waiting carriages and were driven at once along the good and pleasant road to Ion. There they found a gathering of all the relatives in that region—Dr. Conly’s family, Calhoun’s also, Rose Croly, with her husband and children, the Dinsmores from the Oaks, the Laceys from the Laurels, Cousin Ronald and his Annis, Hugh and his wife and children. It was now nearly a year since Captain Raymond and his party had sailed away in the Dolphin, and the reunion of so many friends and relatives gave much undisguised pleasure.
It was a large company, but with nothing stiff or formal about it; there were many loving embraces and much cheerful, happy, familiar chat, and soon they gathered about the hospitable board to regale themselves with dainty and delicious fare, the meal enlivened by an interchange, suited to the occasion, of thoughts, feelings and experiences. There was a feast of reason and a flow of soul, accompanied by no gluttony or gormandizing.
Conversation and many courses kept them long at the table. But at length they left it and gathered in the parlors. They had not been there long when Laurie and Lily came in, bringing the tee-tees—the little monkeys belonging to Elsie and Ned Raymond. They were delighted to see their pets and thought the pleasure was mutual, though the older people had doubts concerning the evidences of pleasure given by the monkeys.