"I do, I'm sure," returned Grace, with a loving smile up into her father's face.
"Well, what shall we do this afternoon?" queried Violet. "I for one feel inclined to go all over the house and grounds, to look at every dear, familiar spot."
"Well, my dear, then that is what we will do," responded her husband; "and the children may go with us or refrain, as they please," with a smiling glance from Lulu to Grace, which both answered with an eagerly expressed desire to accompany him and Violet; Grace adding, "But I do want to see Elf and Fairy more than anything else."
"Well, dear child," said her father, "they are disporting themselves out yonder in the meadow, and you may run out to look at and pet them as soon as we leave the table, if you wish."
"Oh, thank you, papa, that is just what I'd like to do!" she replied.
"And I think all the rest of us will be glad to go with you," said Violet.
Ned, however, presently began to nod, and had to be carried away to his crib before the others were quite ready to leave the table.
"I think Elsie, too, looks as if she would enjoy a nap more than anything else," remarked the captain, with a kind look at his youngest daughter, who seemed to be very nearly nodding over her plate.
"Oh, no, papa!" she said straightening up and opening her eyes very wide; "please, I want to see the ponies first."
"Very well, so you shall, and the nap can come afterward," he returned in an indulgent tone.