"You should go by all means, Chester," said Dr. Conly, "and the sooner the better."
"I think I can arrange to go by the 1st of February," replied Chester, "and shall be glad to do so if I can secure the good company of the rest of you, or even some of you."
"Of one in particular, I presume," laughed his brother.
"Will you take us in the yacht, my dear?" asked Violet, addressing her husband.
"If the weather proves suitable we can go in that way—as many as the Dolphin can accommodate comfortably. Though probably some of the company would prefer travelling by rail, as the speedier and, at this season, the safer mode," replied Captain Raymond.
"If we take the yacht you, mamma, will go with us in it, of course," observed Violet. "Grandpa and Grandma, too."
"Thank you, daughter, the yacht always seems very pleasant and homelike to me, and I have great confidence in my honored son-in-law as her commander," returned Mrs. Travilla, with a smiling look at the captain.
He bowed his acknowledgments, saying, "Thank you, mother, I fully appreciate the kindness of that remark." Then turning to his wife's grandfather, "And you, sir, and your good wife, I hope may feel willing to be of our company should we decide to take the yacht?"
"Thank you, captain; I think it probable we will," Mr. Dinsmore said in reply.
"I wish my three brothers may be able to accompany us also," said
Violet.