“Yes,” he said; “I may be visiting my property here again one of these days, and in that case will be very likely to bring my eldest daughter along.
“And Marian, my good girl, if ever you should be in need of a friend, remember that Captain Raymond will be glad to do you any kindness in his power.”
Marian and her mother both thanked him with earnest gratitude; both felt that the day might not be far distant when they would stand in sore need of his friendly offices, and with the knowledge they had gained of his character in the last few weeks of daily intercourse, they could not doubt the sincerity of his offer.
But the train that was to carry the Raymonds on their eastward way was nearly due; the rest of the good-byes were hastily said, and in a few moments they were seated in the cars and speeding onward.
It was a beautiful summer morning, and the spirits of the children soon rose to such a height that they must find vent in chat and laughter.
“Papa,” exclaimed Lulu, “you actually haven’t told us where we are going next!”
“To the sea-shore, as the end of this journey.”
“But that’s very indefinite; for the sea-shore of our big country is a long, long strip,” she said laughingly.
“So it is; but can’t you trust me to take you to a pleasant part of it?”
“Oh, yes, sir, yes, indeed! and I’m always glad to go anywhere with you,” resting her cheek affectionately against his shoulder and squeezing his hand in both of hers.