“Where’s my little mamma?” asked a tiny voice, that seemed to issue from Fatima’s lips. “Please take me to my little mamma.”
Violet started and opened her eyes wide in astonishment, then glancing quickly around the room, “Cousin Ronald!” she exclaimed. “But where is he?”
No answer but a half-suppressed giggle from the little girls, and an exchange of amused glances between them, their father, and Max.
“Captain, is Cousin Ronald here? have you seen him? What does it all mean?” Violet asked, piling one question upon another.
“No, my dear, but it seems he has left a representative behind him,” returned her husband pleasantly, laying a hand on Max’s shoulder, and giving him a little playful shake.
“Max!” she cried in fresh astonishment; “is it possible that you can imitate his powers as a ventriloquist so well, Maxie?”
Max modestly repeated the explanation already made to his father and sisters; they gave a laughing account of his exploits witnessed by them, then the captain bade Lulu and Grace say good-night and seek their nests.
“But you, Max, my son,” he added, “may stay a little longer. I have something to say to you.”
CHAPTER VII.
The captain opened his secretary, took a letter from one of its pigeon-holes, glanced over the contents, restored the missive to its place, then turned to Max, who stood patiently waiting by his side.