“And shall we show them to you, papa, when done?” asked Lulu.
“You may do exactly as you please in regard to that,” he answered.
All three pens were presently scratching away, the captain’s more rapidly, and with fewer pauses, than the other two. Presently he laid it down and began folding his sheet.
Then Max did the same, remarking to Lulu a trifle triumphantly, “I’m done first.”
“Why!” she exclaimed, “I haven’t finished telling about the mine, and have all the story about the walk home to tell yet.”
“Probably you are going more into detail than Max did,” their father said, “and that is just what Gracie will enjoy.”
At that instant Sandy appeared at the open door with the announcement that the horses had come and Mr. Short was waiting.
“And my letter isn’t finished!” exclaimed Lulu in dismay.
“No matter, daughter, it is not one requiring special haste, and you can finish it at your leisure, to-night or to-morrow; no, on Monday, to-morrow is Sunday,” the captain said. “Lay it in your writing-desk and put on your hat. We will not keep Mr. Short waiting any longer than necessary.”
She obeyed with cheerful alacrity, wondering aloud the while what her new pony would be like.