"I don't think it can do that," observed Ned wisely, "for it's good fun and everybody likes fun. Even my papa does," he added with a smiling glance up into his father's face.
"Yes; when it does not annoy or weary anyone else," the captain said in return.
"Will Chester be over here this morning, Lu?" asked Violet.
"He expected to when he went away last night," was the reply. "But possibly he may not come if he hears that we are to go there."
"I think he is too much a man of his word to be hindered by that," her father said, giving her a reassuring smile.
And he was right, for Chester was with them even a little earlier than usual.
"Maud told me you were all coming over to lunch with her," he said, "but as some of you have never seen the place, I thought you might not object to a pilot, and the exercise would be rather beneficial to me."
"You are right there," said Harold. "You know that as your physician I have prescribed a good deal of outdoor exercise."
"Yes; I have been taking the prescription, too, and I find it beneficial; especially when I am so fortunate as to secure pleasant company." His glance at Lucilla as he spoke seemed to imply that there was none more desirable than hers.
"Then, as the walk is a long one, I would suggest that we start as soon as may suit the convenience of the ladies," said Harold, and Evelyn and Lucilla hastened to make such preparation as they deemed necessary or desirable.