“That’s very strong, Walter,” laughed Edward. “The captain is, without doubt, a highly educated, intelligent, and well-read man, yet hardly a walking cyclopædia; a compliment at which no one would laugh more heartily than himself, for he hasn’t a particle of self-conceit in his make-up.”
“Now you are complimenting him very highly, Ned,” said Mr. Dinsmore, “yet are not saying more than he deserves. I know of no man for whom I have a higher esteem than Captain Raymond.”
“And I can echo my father’s sentiments. He is a noble Christian man, the best of husbands and fathers,” said Mrs. Travilla. “I know of no man with whom I could feel better satisfied as the husband of one of my daughters. Evidently he makes Violet very happy.”
“And his children from the oldest to the youngest fairly idolize him,” remarked Zoe.
“And you do not object to him as a brother-in-law?” said Rosie interrogatively.
“On the contrary I like him extremely in that capacity,” was the quick, emphatic rejoinder.
“Mamma,” said Rosie insinuatingly, “Captain Raymond thinks a great deal of you, and as you are his mother, he ought to do as you say; most assuredly in regard to his treatment of your own children. Won’t you please send him word this morning that we ought to be allowed a holiday next week? Do now; there’s a good, kind mamma.”
“Would you have me say what I do not think, Rosie dear?” queried her mother in return, and with an amused look into the bright eyes of her youngest daughter.
“Ah, mamma, how can you be so severe?” exclaimed Rosie. “Just think how trying to Walter and me to have to set off for lessons at Woodburn not only to-day, but every day next week, when you have only been with us for a day now since your return from your trip to the North.”
“For that very reason you and I ought to go willingly and without any fuss,” interposed Walter, with manly decision of air and tone. “Besides, as I said before, I know it would be perfectly useless to try to get Brother Levis to change his mind about the matter.”