"No, indeed! I am much obliged to you, father, for letting me go," she added, turning to him with a look of love and gratitude.
"You are very welcome, daughter," he said, "and I am glad you enjoyed it. There is an old saying that 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,' and I think girl nature does not differ in that respect."
"Oh, you dear papa! none of your children are ever allowed to have all work and no play," she exclaimed, giving him a look of ardent affection. "You take a great deal of trouble to give us pleasure; you always have."
"Yes, indeed," said Grace; "it seems to be papa's greatest delight to give pleasure to his wife and children. Don't you think so, mamma?"
"Indeed I do," returned Violet heartily. "I have never known a more generous or unselfish person than my husband and your father."
"And what shall I say?" queried the captain. "That when I am the person under discussion no greater flatterers can be found than my wife and older daughters?"
"Oh! we will excuse you from saying anything on the subject, sir," laughed Violet.
"Now, what kind of a time did you all have staying at home without me?" asked Lucilla. "I hope you have missed me a little."
"Of course we did," replied Grace.
"Your father missed both his daughter and his amanuensis," said the captain.