"Yes, and in other parts of the house," said Violet. "Perhaps you might as well go over it before visiting the grounds."
"I am at liberty to go everywhere, as of old?" he returned, half in assertion, half enquiringly and turning from her to his father.
"Certainly, my son; it is as truly your father's house, therefore open in every part to you, as it was before you left its shelter for Uncle Sam's Naval Academy," replied the captain, regarding the lad with mingled fatherly affection, pride, and amusement.
"Thank you, sir," returned Max heartily. "Ah, Christine!" as the housekeeper, whom something had detained in another part of the house at the moment of their arrival, now appeared among them, "I'm pleased to see you again; looking so well, too. I really don't think you have changed in the least in all the time I have been away," shaking her hand warmly as he spoke.
"Ah, Master Max, sir, I can't say the same of you," she returned with a pleasant smile into the bright young face. "You are growing up fast and looking more than ever like your father."
"Thank you," laughed Max, his eyes shining, "you couldn't possibly give me a higher compliment than that, Christine."
"Ah, who shall say that I am not the complimented one, Max?" laughed the captain.
"I, papa," cried Lulu. "O Maxie, come upstairs and see the improvements there. You can look at the downstairs rooms and grounds afterward."
"Yes, run along, children," said their father, "and make yourselves ready for the tea table before you come down again."
"Yes, sir," they answered in cheerful tones, Max catching up little Ned as he spoke, and setting him on his shoulder. "Hold on tight, laddie, and your big brother will carry you up," he said, and one chubby arm instantly went round his neck, a gleeful laugh accompanying it as Max began the ascent, his sisters following, Violet and the captain presently bringing up the rear.