The young people were at once seized with an eager desire to get aboard of her, and, as the captain seemed entirely willing, the parents did not withhold their consent.
"Ah, papa," laughed Grace Raymond, "I understand now why you refused my request to send for our yacht; she was already here, and you wanted to give me a pleasant surprise."
"Yes, daughter, that was just it," he returned; "for I know you like pleasant surprises. And I hope to give you and the rest of our party some pleasant trips up and down the river in her."
"Which I am sure we shall all find extremely enjoyable, captain," remarked Grandma Elsie.
The whole company were wending their way down to the river and the yacht as they talked, and presently they were all on board, viewing and commenting admiringly upon the refurnishing and other improvements.
"Are you all too tired of travel to enjoy a sail—perhaps only a short one—up or down the river?" asked the captain.
"Oh, no—not we, indeed!" was the simultaneous exclamation of many voices, older and younger; and not one was raised against it.
"I see you are all willing," said Captain Raymond, glancing about from
one to another of the bright, eager faces. "Suppose I take you to
Newburgh, which is not very far away, and let you see the Hasbrouck
House, Washington's old headquarters? How many would like that?"
"Oh, all of us! all of us!" cried several voices with enthusiasm.
"Then we will get up steam and go at once," he said. "Will that suit you, my dear?" turning to Violet.