"Yet I am just as sure as if I had tried them all, father," she laughed. "There may perhaps be some few nearly as good, but I know they can't be any better. Oh, see! yonder is a yacht coming up the river. I wish it was ours."
"Possibly it may be. Look again," her father said.
"Oh, is it, papa?" she asked eagerly. "Did you order it brought here?"
"I did; and thought it might arrive some time to-day."
"And it is—it is the Dolphin! I'm so glad! How nice in you, papa, to have it come to us so soon; for now we can supplement Eva's sleeping accommodations and take delightful little trips up and down the river."
"Yes; that was my idea in having the vessel brought here. There are a number of historical scenes along the Hudson's banks which I have no doubt you and the others would like to visit."
"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! and the very pleasantest way to do it will be in our own yacht—with Captain Raymond to take charge of us and it," she added with a bright smile up into his face. "Oh, the yacht seems to be heading for the little landing down at the foot of the hill! Can't we run down and get aboard of her just to take a peep, here and there, and see that all is right for us to move into the staterooms whenever we will?"
"Yes, come along, daughter. I think we can go and come back again before the summons to breakfast," he replied, leading the way as he spoke. They reached the landing just as the Dolphin had anchored and thrown out a plank to the shore.
"Oh, how bright and fresh she looks!" exclaimed Lulu.
"Yes—outside," laughed her father. "We will go aboard and see whether the same can be said of the inside," he added, leading her carefully onward till they reached the deck.